Blog And Articles
From Burnout to Compassion: A Veterinarian’s Journey of Healing and Growth
In the fast-paced world of veterinary medicine, where life-and-death decisions are made daily, and the bond between humans and animals is paramount, it's easy for even the most dedicated professionals to lose their way. Enter Gunila Pedersen, a veterinarian whose...
Bridging the Gap: The Art of Veterinary Communication
In a world where pets are increasingly considered family members, effective communication between veterinarians and pet owners has never been more crucial. A recent podcast, Why Do Pets Matter hosted by Debra Hamilton, featuring industry expert Dr. Peter Weinstein...
Veterinary Healthcare Teams Include Clients
By Debra Hamilton, JD-Conflict Consultant Veterinary care thrives on collaboration, drawing strength from a united team effort. Traditionally, veterinary practices have operated within their spheres, with decisions sometimes made without the full engagement of staff,...
Recognizing defensive behavior – in yourself and others
The ability to create observational awareness of yourself and others when defensiveness is displayed becomes crucial in preventing conflicts from escalating. The TREND acronym provides a practical framework for identifying and addressing defensive tendencies in ourselves and others.
Nipped In The Bud-Not In The Butt
In 2015, I published a book highlighting how mediation would help people in conflict over animals. It is now 2024, and the premise of my book still resonates with people in conflict over animals. I still believe mediation is the best way to start a discussion...
Preparing For Disasters With Your Pets
This blog is part of the MAAP Community Call vlog you can watch that MAAP call replay below: As we all know, disaster is one of the 10 D’s* that we prepare for when making our MAAP plan. Failing to plan for any of the other 9 D’s can also be a disaster. What is a...
MAAP Plan – Navigating the Journey Your Pet Takes When You Can’t Care For It
The MAAP Plan was created by Debra Hamilton, Esq. of Hamilton Law and Mediation and the founder of the MAAP Community The Four Steps You Need To Take To Help Plan For Your Pet's Care MAKE A PLAN Make a plan for the care of your pet(s) and write it down. Make...
Divorce and Pet Custody: What Every Judge, Attorney and Pet Owner Needs to Know
Who Gets The Pet? When people are considering a divorce, no one ever asks who is going to get the pet[s]. I've had attorneys call me at the very last minute when everything is settled and ready to sign, except for who gets the pet. Whether it's a cat, dog, horse,...
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Gary C. Norman: Accommodating The Accommodators
Celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Gary Norman Accommodating The Accommodators Part I: Interview with Gary C. Norman, Esq. L.L.M. Virtually in New York Conducted, Hosted, and Sponsored by Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC Start of Interview...
Seniors: How To Take Control Of Your Beloved Companion’s Future
MAAP--Navigating the Journey Your Pet Will Take if You Can not Care for It By Debra A. Vey Voda-Hamilton, Esq. Mediator Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC. When you share your life with an animal companion, planning for your loved ones’ short-term and long-term care is...
Africa, Upcoming ADR Events and GDPR Update
Just got back from an epic trip to South Africa. Life-changing is an understatement. The wildlife is extraordinary. The people are just lovely. Definitely a trip I would encourage everyone to take at some point in their lifetime. These are a few of my favorite pics…...
Beware the Joy Stealers
As you think about rezooming your legal career beware of the joy-stealers. Who and what is a joy stealer? They are the people who, when you speak about your dream or positive events that have unfolded in your favor on this journey to rezoom, pour cold water on your...
“Me Too” – The ReZoomer’s Version Of Speaking Up
The refrain “Me Too” was very popular and powerful in the waning months of 2017. It has become the rallying cry among women who feel they have been silent for too long. The “Me Too” movement empowered women who had suffered harassment to tell their stories. Some of...
Gary C Norman Esq. Special Events – Jan 18 & Jan 19
January 18, 2018 | Baltimore, Maryland at the Pratt Street Ale House Mentorship Salon for Emerging Diverse, Globally Connected Leaders Join Gary C Norman, Esq. L.L.M., Vice Chair at the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (and his new guide dog) in partnership with...
Mediation Practice Helps Resolve Conflicts Between People Over Animals
Going to the Dogs, Cats, Birds and Horses For the final article of 2017, highlighting attorneys who rezoomed their career, I thought I would update everyone on my journey back into the law. It has been an incredibly enlightening, sometimes frustrating, yet joyful...
Spring Has Sprung – Does Your Pet Have A MAAP Plan?
Spring is here in New England! And, that means more time outdoors for you and your pets. For many of us, it also means more travel time and summer vacations are just around the corner! You have to agree, it's fun to make plans like those, right? Equally important is...
Snowstorms, puppies, dogs, cats and horses… oh my!!!
Snowstorms, puppies, dogs, cats and horses... oh my!!! As the Northeast awaits a huge blizzard, my thoughts turn to the animals that we care for and how they will survive. It is important for us as their caregivers to make sure, from the youngest to the oldest, we've...
NYSBA 2017 – Practicing Animal Law: How Laws Impact the Animals In Our Lives
NYSBA 2017 ANNUAL MEETING NYC COMMITTEE ON ANIMALS & THE LAW WEDNESDAY JANUARY 25, 1:30 PM If you're planning to attend the NYSBA 2017 Annual Meeting in NYC, let me know when you'll be there so that we can connect. On Wednesday, 1/25, at 1:30 pm, Rachel...
Christmas Pupdate: Rumraisin Puppies
I knew it was going to be a busy month - Christmas, holiday parties, our boys coming home for the holidays, a new generation of Rumraisin puppies due around the 15th, New Year's Eve and, then the proverbial frosting on the cake... I got scheduled for hip replacement...
Holiday Pet Care Planning Tips
With the holidays right around the corner, the last thing you might be thinking about is, “How will my pet be spending the holidays?” Another very important question to ask yourself is, "How will my pet be cared for during the holidays?" The answers to those...
Final MAAP Webinar Presentation Of 2016
The grumpy technology gremlins were working overtime yesterday. My live webinar presentation was magically turned into a Faceboook Live Video. And, it actually worked out really well! Here's a link to the PowerPoint Slides for you to download: MAAP PRESENTATION PPT...
Millions Are Evacuating As Hurricane Matthew Hits, But What About The Animals?
Hurricane Matthew battered the Florida coast this morning with powerful winds, potentially devastating storm surges and torrential rain, leaving nearly 1 million people without power as officials made last-minute appeals for any remaining holdouts to get out of harm's...
What Is The Value Of A Pet In Divorce?
photo courtesy of Sally Anderson Bruce How Much Is That Doggie In The Living-room Window? The value of a pet in divorce. A recent court decision in New York, Travis v. Murray, recognized the human animal bond in a more tangible way than ever before. While reviewing a...
Peacemaking in the Dog Wars
Last week Judge Mathew Cooper, in the case Travis v. Murray, handed down a landmark divorce decision in NY. Judge Cooper found a household pet, a miniature dachshund named Joey, is “decidedly more than a piece of property” thus “a strict property analysis is neither...
All Paws Up for Veterans Day
—By Debra Vey Voda-HamiltonAs we celebrate Veteran’s Day 2013, I would love to also celebrate the beings that are now helping veteran come back from the brink, time after time. Lives that have often been spared who then turn around and rescue the rescuer....
Holiday-time with your pets
With the Holidays right around the corner, the last thing you may be thinking about is, “how will my pet be spending the holidays?” If this inquiry jolted you into stark realization, here is the question you want to ponder before the holidays are upon you.How...
Where Will the Naughty Dogs Go Now?
An article in our local paper about a local kennel and pet prompts the blog for this week. It was not a flattering article about the kennel or the pet. Instead of focusing on the lovely facility or the hundreds of happy dogs that come in its door every...
Managing the Conflict
As I re-read Bill Ury’s book, The Third Side (Penguin-1999-2000), a passage jumped out at me and begged to be explored further in a short blog. In the last 7 pages of Chapter 2, he speaks about Conflict Management and competition. Never before has a...
The Neighbor Next Door — 3 Ways to Douse the Flames of Conflict
I have written early and often about how to solve neighbor disputes involving dogs.Today I give you the 3 Ways to Douse the Flames of Conflictthat ignite a bonfire of discomfort as one neighbor addresses a problem with another.First-Don’t have this conversation while...
Are Contracts Made to Be Broken
"This week I have been blessed to have permission to reprint Mark Mauriello's response to the question, 'Are Contracts Made to Be Broken.' For Breeders, Pet Owners and Handlers this discussion will make so much sense. Contracts should be made to be kept...