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Pet expert Debra Hamilton interviews other pet lovers on this delightful podcast about pet custody, pet drama, pet problems and pet solutions. Why Do Pets Matter? is a heartfelt podcast dedicated to pets, hosted by pet-focused attorney Debra Hamilton, Esq.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I welcome back my dear friend and returning guest, Josh Vaisman, founder of Flourish. Josh and I dive into what it really means to matter in our relationships with both people and pets, and how that feeling of mattering is at the heart of wellbeing for all of us.
We talk about the difference between always trying to be right and working together to get it right for each unique pet family. Josh shares powerful insights on collaboration versus compromise, spectrum of care, and why “doing what is best for this animal and this person in this moment” is a much healthier guide than chasing some perfect idea of “the right thing.”
We also explore real world tools for handling conflict more gracefully, including how to pause, repair after a hard interaction, and ask curious questions instead of reacting from a place of hurt. If you have ever replayed a tough conversation in your head with a client, a colleague, or a loved one and wished you could do it differently, this episode is for you.
Watch It: https://youtu.be/5IIf106xmBE
Guest Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-vaisman/
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
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I welcome back my dear friend and repeat guest, Dr. Michael Blackwell. Michael has worn many hats in veterinary medicine and public health, and now he is leading powerful work through the Program for Pet Health Equity and the One Health Forum.
Together, we talk about how families have changed and why most households today are truly “biodiverse families,” made up of both humans and animals. Michael shares why our current systems for housing, healthcare, transportation, and social services were never really designed with pets in mind and how that creates real heartbreak and barriers for people who love their animals.
We explore the emotional and physical health benefits of pets, the importance of keeping seniors and their animals together, how laws and policies are slowly catching up, and why cross sector collaboration is the only way forward. You will hear stories that capture exactly why pets matter so deeply and how much better we can do when we see them as true family members.
If you care about animal welfare, human wellbeing, and the future of the human animal bond, this conversation will stay with you.
Watch It: https://youtu.be/jQgBPKlJOOo
Guest Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-blackwell-06a6066/
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
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
Wednesday Dec 24, 2025
In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with my longtime friend and fellow Irish Setter enthusiast, Chris Murphy, the founder and CEO of Lucky Plus Dog. We dive into how he took a simple idea; beautiful, durable collars, and turned it into a mission-driven company that supports rescues, empowers refugee artisans, and helps pet parents keep their animals safer than ever. Chris shares how his partnership with the FI GPS tracker has transformed the way families protect their dogs, why peace of mind matters just as much as style, and how data like steps, barking activity, and even water intake can help us understand our pets on a deeper level.
We also talk about his love for the Irish Setter breed, the joy and chaos of raising active dogs, the way shelter needs have shifted since the pandemic, and how Lucky Dog gives back to the organizations doing the hardest work in animal welfare. This conversation is full of heart, practicality, laughter, and a shared passion for helping people and pets live safer, happier lives together.
Watch It: https://youtu.be/JX_hojr4EGM
Guest Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispmurphy/
https://luckyplusdog.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopQ6GsgnocbBKVYGt9N6EDHQWWaCSqvkqcmoBn7QFOG6S9wvqgx
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 #LuckyDog #PetSafety #FiCollar #DogParents #PetTracking #PetWelfare #RescueDogs #HumanAnimalBond
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
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://www.linkedin.com/in/drmarlenesiegel/
https://www.youtube.com/@drmarlenesiegel/featured
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
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
Wednesday Nov 26, 2025
In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with Dr. Philipp Schott, a retired veterinarian from Winnipeg and author of The Accidental Veterinarian and his latest book, Heal the Beasts: A Jaunt Through the Curious History of the Veterinary Arts.
We take a fascinating walk through time to explore how humans have cared for animals for thousands of years – from a 12,000 BC puppy buried with its people, to medieval “elfshot” cattle, all the way to modern small animal practice.
Dr. Schott and I talk about how the human–animal bond has always been intertwined with survival, emotion, and even spirituality, why industrial agriculture is actually the historical exception (not the norm), and how listening, trust, and honest communication between veterinarians and pet parents are at the heart of good care. We also dig into the role of money, options, and transparency in either strengthening or straining the vet–client relationship, and why showing a little vulnerability as a veterinarian can actually build deeper trust.
If you love animals, veterinary history, or just want to see modern vet med in a whole new light, this episode will absolutely speak to you.
Listen in, then go kiss your dog, cat, horse, lizard, snake, bird, or box turtle… because pets really do matter.
Youtube: https://youtu.be/6rqGIgZ3_ms
Guest Links:
https://www.philippschott.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-schott-82809245/
https://www.facebook.com/philipp.w.schott
https://www.instagram.com/philippschott/\
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 #VeterinaryHistory #HumanAnimalBond #VetMed #PetsAreFamily #DeborahHamilton #PetPodcast
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
Wednesday Nov 12, 2025
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=mVGcmg4uXbc
If 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/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
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 29, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
Wednesday Oct 15, 2025
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://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
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
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
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