Why Do Pets Matter? Hosted by Debra Hamilton, Esq.

The legal landscape is shifting. Animals are no longer simply property, they're something closer to sentient beings whose welfare demands serious legal consideration. In this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?", I speak with Mark Momjian, a family law attorney who's been at the forefront of integrating animal law into family law practice and legal education. Mark teaches at Villanova Law School, serves on Pennsylvania's domestic relations advisory council, and has pioneered animal-assisted therapy in the classroom. Our conversation explores the intersection of animal welfare and human relationships, from the challenges of pet custody litigation to the role of companion animals in domestic violence situations. Listen to learn why animal law isn't just a niche specialty—it's essential to understanding the full scope of family dynamics and social justice. #AnimalLaw #FamilyLaw #LegalEducation #AnimalWelfare

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with @drmarlenesiegel, an integrative veterinarian and bio-regulatory medicine practitioner who is deeply committed to finding the root cause of “dis-ease” in our pets. Our conversation goes far beyond symptoms and lab work and into the deeper questions of why we are here, what our pets are really doing in our lives, and how nature itself holds clues to our healing. Marlene shares her belief that we are living in a kind of hologram where animals, bees, trees, and the natural world are constantly communicating with us and offering solutions. We talk about how our pets often mirror our emotional and physical imbalances, how their presence can help regulate our nervous systems through energetic “entrainment,” and why the animals in our lives at any given moment are rarely an accident. Watch It: https://youtu.be/LhdrL9Xa6rc Guest Links: https://drmarlenesiegel.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarlenesiegel/ https://www.youtube.com/@drmarlenesiegel/featured https://pascovet.com/ Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation #WhyDoPetsMatter #DrMarleneSiegel #IntegrativeVeterinaryMedicine #HolisticPetCare #RootCauseHealing #BioRegulatoryMedicine #PetParents #HumanAnimalBond #ConsciousPetParenting #MindBodySpiritPets

Hey friends! In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with my dear friend Bruce Truman, founder of BLT Technology & Innovation Group, to talk about where pet care is really headed, and what that means for all of us who love animals. We chat about:🐾 Why pets truly enrich our lives (beyond what the science now proves)🐱 Why Bruce calls this the “Decade of the Cat” and how vet practices need to prepare🐶 Where our pets are actually coming from; breeders, shelters, transports, and why that matters🧓 The rise of age-related care and what senior dogs and cats will need from us🏡 In-home care, tech, and creative ways to keep pets healthier, longer💳 And yes, even the idea of a Pet Financing Coordinator to help families afford care It’s a thoughtful, future-focused conversation that blends data, heart, and real-world vet med trends. If you’re a pet parent, veterinarian, breeder, or just animal-obsessed like me, you’ll love this one.👉 Watch now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVGcmg4uXbcIf it resonates, please like, share, and leave a 5-star review so more pet lovers can find the show. Thank you for listening and for caring so deeply about why pets matter. 💚🐾 Guest Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-l-truman-mba-pet-industry-expert/https://bltconsulting.com/ Show Links:https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediationDebra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sat down with my dear friend Dr. Janet Hoy Gerlach, a licensed social worker and the driving force behind Ask About the Pet at the Open Door Veterinary Collective. We talked about how one small question, “Do you have a pet?”, can open the door to empathy, understanding, and better care for people in crisis. Janet shared powerful stories about how pets ground us during difficult times, how asking about them builds trust between providers and clients, and how the Open Door team is helping make veterinary care more accessible for everyone. It’s a heartwarming, eye-opening reminder that our connection to animals truly shapes how we heal and help others. Watch Now: https://youtu.be/4ocPQnAnbts Guest Links: https://opendoorconsults.org/ https://www.pethelpfinder.org/m/phf Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation #WhyDoPetsMatter #Podcast #VeterinaryCare #PositiveCulture #Leadership

I sat down with Aimee St. Arnaud from Open Door Veterinary Collective to talk about real-world ways we can keep pets with their families, without turning vet visits into battles about money. We dig into transparent communication, “financial triage,” pay-over-time options that actually work for clinics, and how small shifts (like normalizing the money conversation and inviting clients into the care plan) can prevent surrender and crisis decisions. We also touch on Open Door’s tools for teams and pet parents, including resource finders and practical training that make access to care possible. If you’re a veterinarian, CSR, tech, or a pet parent who wants better partnerships with your clinic, this one’s for you. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w75r2tyTiKw Guest Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aimee-st-arnaud-9055b2177?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name https://opendoorconsults.org/ Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation #WhyDoPetsMatter #OpenDoorVet #AccessToCare #VetMedCommunity #PetFamilies

Listen to this episode of Why Do Pets Matter for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Aubrey Fine, Professor Emeritus at California State Polytechnic University and an internationally recognized pioneer in animal-assisted therapy. Dr. Fine takes us on his journey from growing up in a pet-free home to becoming one of the foremost advocates for the human-animal bond, a path that began with an unexpected friendship with a gerbil named Sasha. In this heartfelt discussion, Dr. Fine shares the therapeutic benefits of animals for children with learning disabilities, autism, and ADHD, while emphasizing why animal welfare must always come first in therapy settings. He reflects on more than four decades of groundbreaking work, his deep relationships with animals from therapy dogs to his horse’s foal “Fine-tastic,” and the profound lessons animals teach us about empathy, resilience, and responsibility. Dr. Fine’s contributions to the field are immense. He served 42 years as a professor at Cal Poly, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in children with ADHD, learning disabilities, and developmental disorders, and has been recognized with the William F. McCulloch Award for Excellence in Human-Animal Interaction Education and Practice as well as the CSU Wang Award for Distinguished Professor. His publications include Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy (6th Edition, 2024), Afternoons with Puppy: Inspirations from a Therapist and His Animals, and Our Faithful Companions: Exploring the Essence of Our Kinship with Animals. Watch It: https://youtu.be/UzkTmHJO6S8 Guest Links: Dr. Fine's website: www.aubreyhfine.com Cal Poly faculty profile: www.cpp.edu/faculty/ahfine/ Clinical practice: www.aubreyhfine.com (Claremont, CA) Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I talk with industrial organizational psychologist Taeler Hammond about the growing connection between animal law, veterinary conflict, and the human-animal bond. We explore why treating pets as property in court often falls short, and how empathy and communication can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved. Taeler shares personal stories that show how small moments can turn into big conflicts—or real solutions—depending on how we respond. We also talk about de-escalation techniques, the role of social media in disputes, and why including clients in the problem-solving process builds trust. If you work with animals or care about the people who do, this conversation is full of helpful tools and perspective. Watch Now: https://youtu.be/Qs1CqBQzy7Y Guest Links: Website: https://www.deiprofinder.com/california/los-angeles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-consultant/nouveau-paige-consulting Instagram: @nouveau_paige_consulting Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taelerhammond/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWC4p9h06_s Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation

On this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I’m joined by the insightful Terri Stockdreher, LCSW, MPH — a trauma-informed therapist and fellow NAMV Blueprint advisor — for a powerful conversation about mental health in the veterinary field. Terri specializes in helping high-achieving veterinary and healthcare professionals who are burned out, emotionally exhausted, and struggling to keep up the appearance that everything is “fine.” Together, we discuss the deep emotional connections we have with animals, why communication in clinics can break down, and how unresolved trauma can surface in moments of stress — both for clients and veterinary teams. We also dive into practical strategies for conflict resolution, boundaries, and creating workplaces that are emotionally supportive from top to bottom. Whether you're a veterinarian, veterinary technician, practice manager, or client, this conversation will leave you thinking about how empathy, preparation, and breathing (yes, breathing!) can shift the dynamic for everyone involved. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and let us know what you think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgDUZgYW9uk #WhyDoPetsMatter #VeterinaryMentalHealth #NAMV #VetMed #ClearBlueprint #WorkplaceWellness #TraumaInformedCare Guest Links: https://bravelivingcenter.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-stockdreher/ Show Links: https://hamiltonlawandmediation.com/ https://www.facebook.com/HLawMediation Debra's Book: "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation To Resolve Conflicts Over Animals," https://www.amazon.com/Nipped-Bud-Not-Butt-Mediation/dp/151502024X/ref=sr_1_1 SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/@HLawMediation