CELTICLADY'S REVIEWS: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts Over Animals by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton Guest Book Review!

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.

Available to buy from....

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Resolving Animal Conflicts Without Litigation
a way to address conflicts between people involving animals

"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 with regards to animal conflict resolution. She does an excellent job explaining the history of mediation, and the significance of mediation in resolving conflict."

"A Must Read for all of us who love our companion animals!!"

"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 (in barn settings) pet groomers, pet rescue and adoption organizations and anyone else who wishes to avoid the pain and pitfalls of court battles"
A sample of reviews received

Guest Book Review by Ana Paula Medeiros

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 of techniques on mediation that are really unique and helpful for everyone. Conflicts over animals and pets are really difficult (they are like children in family law), sentiments are involved and reason is hard to find. Therefore, having the techniques that help you to think sensibly in order to achieve the best possible agreement between the parties is something unique. I have not yet been involved in such conflicts but it is a market growing worldwide since the importance of animals and pets are taking a great part of everyday life. I recommend this book not only for lawyers, solicitors and mediators but for everyone since the mediation techniques can be applied in several occasions.

About the Author

Debra spent 30 years as a practicing litigator, but she is now a full-time mediator and conflict coach for people in disputes over animals.

She works both nationwide and internationally. She has far-reaching experience in resolving interpersonal conflicts involving animals, and she is also well-known in the world of purebred dogs as a top breeder and exhibitor of Irish setters and long-haired dachshunds.

Debra speaks widely on the topic of how mediation techniques can help people address conflicts without litigation. She has presented at veterinary schools, the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association, the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators, the Living With Animals conference, state bar association Animal Law Committee meetings, and animal interest group meetings.

Debra also writes a blog for Hamilton Law and Mediation and is a contributor to the Solo Practice University blog and the Canine Chronicle. She has been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, US News and World Report, and the New York Times.

As the principal at Hamilton Law and Mediation, PLLC—the nation’s first solo mediation practice dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts over animals—Debra uses alternative dispute resolution to help address disagreements over the family pet during divorce, neighbors’ arguments over a barking dog, and confrontations between clients and veterinarians and other professionals who work with animals. HLM also looks forward to helping animal rights and welfare advocates see the benefit of having a conversation about the best interests of all parties—especially the animals—to resolve animal-related disputes.

Debra is admitted to practice law in all New York State courts. She is certified as a mediator and collaborative professional and has worked with various court-based mediation programs in New York City (Queens-Community Mediation Service) and in Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York (Westchester and Rockland Mediation Centers).

Find the author on the following sites...