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/

https://www.flourish.vet/

https://www.culturelab.vet/

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 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/

https://pphe.utk.edu/

https://aligncarehealth.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

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