Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts over Animals (available on Amazon)
Conflicts over animals are among the toughest to resolve. People form deep emotional bonds with their pets—after all, they’re members of the family—so when a dispute involves animals, people get just as angry as if the clash were over their human children. When they’ve finally had enough, they head to court where the law treats the pet as property—as just a thing.
But there’s a better way: mediation. Whether your conflict is over who gets the cat in a divorce, how to deal with a barking dog, or any other issue, a neutral mediator can bring you and the other person together so you can hear each other out, acknowledge each other’s feelings, and resolve your dispute. Not only can mediation settle the conflict in less time and with less expense than litigation, but it can save and even strengthen relationships.
In Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts over Animals, litigator-turned-mediator Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton introduces her proven techniques for addressing your conflict, working out a mutually satisfactory solution, and ensuring the well-being of the most important party—the beloved pet or animal in need.
Here’s What Others Have To Say About The Book
Gives a very deep understanding of that deep bond between animals and the people who love them–a bond that goes back to our ancestors
This book is superb! It should be required reading not only for parting couples with pets, but by every law student, lawyer and family court judge in the country. I’ve… CONTINUE READING… “Gives a very deep understanding of that deep bond between animals and the people who love them–a bond that goes back to our ancestors”
A short, useful resource and guide that can help you right away
What makes this book attractive is it’s not a textbook, written for other academics. It’s in conversational language, from the heart, and to the point – 119 pages. Human breakups… CONTINUE READING… “A short, useful resource and guide that can help you right away”
Gives a very deep understanding of that deep bond between animals and the people who love them…
This book is superb! It should be required reading not only for parting couples with pets but by every law student, lawyer and family court judge in the country. I’ve… CONTINUE READING… “Gives a very deep understanding of that deep bond between animals and the people who love them…”
Over a year ago I ended a 40 year relationship …
Over a year ago I ended a 40-year relationship. In the process, I took the dog – Diesel. I was lucky my husband did not want Diesel. I really do… CONTINUE READING… “Over a year ago I ended a 40 year relationship …”
A must read for anyone interested in animal welfare and intelligent conflict resolution
As a retired animal cruelty prosecutor and animal protection lawyer, I can tell you that Ms. Voda-Hamilton really knows what she’s talking about and offers a common-sense, hugely effective, non-litigious… CONTINUE READING… “A must read for anyone interested in animal welfare and intelligent conflict resolution”
Definitely Worth Reading – by Everybody.
Just finished reading this book and recommend it to everyone. It is concise, informative, relevant and a good read. The tools and information about moderation passed on via anecdotal stories… CONTINUE READING… “Definitely Worth Reading – by Everybody.”
Tremendous Read…
This book really resonated with me. Debra does an excellent job providing a realistic approach to conflicts over pets. When I opened the book , I immediately noticed Debra’s passion… CONTINUE READING… “Tremendous Read…”
If you are going thru a custody battle for your pet this book will help you avoid much frustration and come up with a happy medium.
I have used mediation in the past to solve problems to avoid the high cost of litigation, This book explains the pros and cons of mediation vs. court. If you… CONTINUE READING… “If you are going thru a custody battle for your pet this book will help you avoid much frustration and come up with a happy medium.”
I also have written on mediating animal law conflicts…
I also have written on mediating animal law conflicts, although on a much narrower academic-type level, and I can honestly say that Debra Voda-Hamilton has written a very accessible and… CONTINUE READING… “I also have written on mediating animal law conflicts…”
Debra’s book will save pet owners time, money…
Debra’s book will save pet owners time, money, and aggravation – it’s a must needed resource for every pet… CONTINUE READING… “Debra’s book will save pet owners time, money…”
Best Book For Pets
Debra, I loved your book. What an inspiration to all those who would like an answer to their questions, what happens to my pet if I die? Or, if I… CONTINUE READING… “Best Book For Pets”
Communication is the key. Mediation turns the key.
This book gives the reader a comprehensive review of what mediation is (and why), how it works, and where to go to find a mediator. It’s easy to read with… CONTINUE READING… “Communication is the key. Mediation turns the key.”
Thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
Being an animal lover I found this book extremely intriguing. It is enriched with a lot of resourceful information if you find you are in a conflict/situation requiring mediation. It… CONTINUE READING… “Thoroughly enjoyed reading it!”
Great overview of mediation…
This is a great overview of effective mediation…what it is and what it isn’t! And why it’s so preferable to going to court…as long as it’s done with someone who… CONTINUE READING… “Great overview of mediation…”
A must read for anyone with an animal in your household
I liked how Debra combined her many years in law with her lifetime of experience with dogs/animals to create a very handy guide on animal mediation. Her examples made me… CONTINUE READING… “A must read for anyone with an animal in your household”
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book and glad I was given the chance to review it. It provided great advice for pet owners, I learned new and really interesting information.… CONTINUE READING… “I absolutely enjoyed reading this book!”
This was recommended to me
Not a lawyer, but an owner with occasional pet “issues”. This was recommended to me, and now I have a much better perspective of the parties… CONTINUE READING… “This was recommended to me”
Negotiation vs Mediation- it’s a good thing to know about.
Great book, really learned about the difference between negotiation and mediation. If you have issues surrounding your pets, this is a great book on how to handle… CONTINUE READING… “Negotiation vs Mediation- it’s a good thing to know about.”
No Fighting Over This Dog Bone
Debra is one savvy cookie. In our mutual mastermind she has shared ideas, strategies and techniques to help Pet Parents manage conflicts over their pets. I knew this would be… CONTINUE READING… “No Fighting Over This Dog Bone”
Who Gets Custody Of The Dog? How To Avoid Bitter Disputes Over Your Pets
I wanted to read this book for two reasons. Firstly I know exactly how much a pet can mean to you. I lost my beloved cat Samson a few years… CONTINUE READING… “Who Gets Custody Of The Dog? How To Avoid Bitter Disputes Over Your Pets”
Hear it from the Best!
Debra is *the* animal mediator. Learn from the best with this book! Must read for anyone going through an animal dispute, especially one involving companion… CONTINUE READING… “Hear it from the Best!”
If you love or work with animals, you must read this…
A comprehensive, yet easy guide to avoiding litigation and achieving success through mediation in disputes over animals. This is a must read for pet owners, veterinarians, trainers, barn managers, grooms… CONTINUE READING… “If you love or work with animals, you must read this…”
Very interesting, informative, and totally worth reading!
I just finished reading Nipped in the Bud not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts over Animals and it was extremely interesting. I learned that mediation… CONTINUE READING… “Very interesting, informative, and totally worth reading!”
This book is easy to read with good examples
This book is easy to read with good examples, providing a clear understanding of where and how a mediator would be valuable in settling disputes that involve animals. It contains… CONTINUE READING… “This book is easy to read with good examples”
MUST READING for all of us who love our companion animals!!
As a veterinarian of twenty plus years in practice, I have heard many complaints from individuals (clients and others) who have felt mislead and betrayed by my colleagues concerning the… CONTINUE READING… “MUST READING for all of us who love our companion animals!!”
At the heart of Debra’s book are the fur-children who just want to feel safe and loved…
I’m an applied behaviorist and a suburban mom. This book crosses all genres and helps both the layperson and the professional alike to cope in a world obsessed with confrontation… CONTINUE READING… “At the heart of Debra’s book are the fur-children who just want to feel safe and loved…”
Why consider litigation at all when Mediation is likely to leave both conflicting parties happier in the short and long term?
I have heard Debra speak on these topics before and was very excited to see the information get into print. It is often things that we as veterinarians and animal… CONTINUE READING… “Why consider litigation at all when Mediation is likely to leave both conflicting parties happier in the short and long term?”
It is much like people and their animals…
Debra hit on the compassion that includes people with animals and people in general. Our animals are a part of our family as our children. She addresses the kindness toward… CONTINUE READING… “It is much like people and their animals…”
This book is easy to read with good examples…
This book is easy to read with good examples, providing a clear understanding of where and how a mediator would be valuable in settling disputes that involve animals. It contains… CONTINUE READING… “This book is easy to read with good examples…”
Everyone should read this book. It explains the process of mediation from one end to the other using anecdotal situations
Everyone should read this book, especially at this time when hatred is being spewed all over–the internet included! I have never been a fan of “legal remedies”. Actually, I don’t… CONTINUE READING… “Everyone should read this book. It explains the process of mediation from one end to the other using anecdotal situations”
Mediation — Your “day in court” better! Where you can speak, listen and resolve conflict in the best interest of your pet.
If you know me, you know I picked up this book since it has to do with our animal friends, but wow! I learned so much that I can apply… CONTINUE READING… “Mediation — Your “day in court” better! Where you can speak, listen and resolve conflict in the best interest of your pet.”
I really enjoyed this book since it opens the knowledge of techniques …
Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton is an attorney and mediator who has a lot of experience in the mediation over animal conflicts. I really enjoyed this book since it open the knowledge… CONTINUE READING… “I really enjoyed this book since it opens the knowledge of techniques …”
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