We are back with Colonel Carla Bass, USAF (Ret), who is a force to be reckoned with, to talk about the final installment of "Writing To Influence". We explore the last three word sculpting techniques: "Who Does What to Whom," "Keep the Focus and Shut the Gate," and "Revise, Edit, and Proofread." Drawing from her Air Force career, Carla stresses concise writing for effective communication. She also introduces the concept of tethers and provides examples, emphasizing their role in strengthening...

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Clarice Ritchie, the executive director of Paws for People, back to the show to discuss the success of her recent WagAthon fundraiser and to delve deeper into the significance of pets in our lives. Clarice shares her personal perspective on why pets matter, highlighting the profound joy and unconditional love they bring into our homes. We explore Paws for People's mission as a pet therapy organization and the vital role of fundraising in supporting their...

My good friend Kate Rosenthal, Marketing and Events Manager for PAWS for People joins us today to talk about their Annual WAG and Walkathon.  Why do pets matter to Kate? Pets provide unconditional love and bring us joy! In addition to the emotional benefits, interacting with a pet has proven health benefits.  PAWS for People enables individuals with their own, gentle, affectionate dogs, cats & bunnies to share those amazing benefits by training them to provide pet therapy to those in...

I am so excited to introduce everyone to Colonel Carla Bass. Carla is the force behind "Write With Influence." I met her earlier this year during an event hosted by the AKC Legislative Conference. The AKC Legislative Governmental Group brought her in to teach the legislative liaisons how to write more effectively to communicate better with local and national legislators. You are probably asking yourself, "What does this have to do with pets?"  What Carla teaches will help us communicate...

I can't wait for you to listen to this podcast with Suzanne Cannon co-founder of VetBilling.com.  She has created an amazing service that can help every pet owner figure out a way to pay for their pet's veterinary care.  VetBilling's flexible, client-friendly payment solutions allow veterinarian teams to deliver affordable relationship-centered care when a client may have otherwise been forced to make a different choice. Quite frankly, it blows my mind that every veterinary clinic in the...

Today Dr. Michael Blackwell, DVM from the University of Tennessee joins us for an exceptionally thought-provoking conversation about moving veterinary care into the 21st century, setting appropriate expectations, having a positive perspective and approaching this new era of veterinary medicine with mindfulness and compassion. He believes that pets help us to be better humans by their demonstration of love and compassion.  More About Dr. Blackwell: Dr. Michael Blackwell has led a life of...

Today Rachel Lemcke joins us for a conversation about the important service she provides veterinary teams that saves them time and money by strategically planning and utilizing their lab equipment and services.  Rachel is focused on boosting efficiency and profitability in the lab without sacrificing the quality of medicine. To put it very simply, she helps your vet get the information they need for testing products at the best price so they can do more for their team and clients without...

Community helping community. My dear friend and pet photographer extraordinaire Mindy Dutka joins us during this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to discuss her recent trip to Mexico. Each day in Mexico, thousands of dogs suffer terrible neglect and abuse simply because they have no home and no one to love them.  More than 40,000 homeless dogs roam the streets of Playa del Carmen alone. Even worse, most of these dogs are not fixed, unvaccinated, and suffer from lack of food, lack of shelter,...

Today we're speaking with Lynn White and Stacey Baum of the Feline Fix - a non-profit organization in Denver, CO. On June 28th, they are holding a free event -- The Friends of the Fix Breakfast -- at The Curtis Ballroom in Greenwood Village. The Feline Fix is an incredible group that works year-round to spay, neuter, and even rehome community cats that can be gentled and adopted.  The breakfast is a free, one-hour fundraising event with the goal of inspiring those who would like to get...

As a veterinarian and mentor, Dr. Dani Rabwin believes that pets matter not only for their companionship and unconditional love but also because they serve as a bridge between her and her clients. Through their pets, she can establish a deeper connection with pet owners, fostering trust and building relationships that enable her to provide excellent veterinary care. Furthermore, she offers guidance and support to pet owners, assisting them in navigating the challenges and joys of pet...

During this dynamic conversation with the Honorable Douglas C. Mintz (Ret.) and Gabrielle Hartley, Esq., we'll look at a different perspective on deciding who gets the family pet during a divorce.  Doug is the ADR Partner at Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey, based in Stamford, CT. He was a civil trial judge and also a legislator.  Gabrielle is an incredible TEDx speaker. She is also an author. Her new book, "The Secret To Getting Along," is coming out in May. She also wrote, "Better...

Dr. Jessica May from the UK joins us on this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" to talk about Veterinary Telemedicine: the pros and cons of the new telemed guidelines set by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) and the important opportunities telemedicine opens up for veterinarians to provide their clients with dynamic professional care wherever a patient might be. We also talked about how technology can help create better veterinarian-client relationships. More About Dr. Jessica...

I'm excited to have Attorney Jennifer Amundsen join us on this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?". Jennifer is an expert in contract law and is here to discuss a topic that's important for all breeders, co-owners, and owners: breeder contracts. She also breeds and shows Clumber Spaniels. If you're a breeder, you know that a well-drafted breeder contract can help protect your interests and ensure your puppies go to good homes. If you're a co-owner or buyer, you need to understand exactly what...

Iris Grimm is a leadership coach and trainer for humans and dogs alike. During today's conversation, we talk about how dogs can help us become better leaders. Iris believes dogs can be our greatest teachers when we listen to them. She speaks from experience. For 22 years, Iris has trained not only her own seven dogs but also fostered and trained many others.  Mentioned During The Show: Iris' TEDx Alexander Park Talkhttps://youtu.be/5FTh_d9z5jM Dog-Gone...

Today we're speaking with Elizabeth Stutz. She's an attorney colleague of mine in Virginia. We've had several discussions about microchips, their benefits, and drawbacks. Microchips are only as good as the information that's on them and the scanning that's done. We're also talking about some of the vagaries of whether or not everyone scans for them. Pets are important to Elizabeth because having a pet can help us expand our understanding of selflessness, unconditional love, partnership,...

Dogs are a great source of comfort and guidance to people struggling. Dr. Renee Alsarraf joins us to discuss her new book "Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well." The book teaches us about the enormous power the human-animal bond plays in our world.  Each chapter is about a different patient of Dr. Alsarraf's, each with his or her own life lessons to impart. In the book, Dr. Alsarraf shares what those families and she learned from dogs. The book is a front-row seat to what...

Domestic violence can be an incredibly difficult and isolating experience, and it can be even harder for pet owners who may be afraid to leave their beloved pets behind. Did you know that there are resources available to help keep both pets and their owners safe?  During this segment of "Why Do Pets Matter?", my dear friend Elizabeth Cronin, Director of the New York State Office of Victim Services, will be discussing some of the organizations and programs that provide support and resources...

Dawn Secord is our special guest today. She's an award-winning author, artist, and illustrator whose love for animals shines through in everything she does.  Dawn is passionate about sharing her love of animals with children. And through her educational children's book series, she's bringing back the old-time values of reading actual books and spending quality family time together.   Why do pets matter to Dawn? In her own words: "Pets matter on so many levels.  They are companions,...

Becky Shuttle worth is a canine communicator. She takes those really hard-to-place dogs and helps them live a better life by either staying with her or fostering them until they are ready to be rehomed. She also works one on one with dog owners who are having aggression or anxiety issues with their pets. In this podcast, she shares some great insights into understanding and managing the things that trigger a dog's "naughty" behavior. She discusses her holistic approach to getting to the root...

If you're a veterinary professional looking to improve your communication skills and overall job satisfaction, or if you're a pet owner interested in learning how to build a better relationship with your pet's healthcare team, this episode is meant for you. Pet owners know how important it is to have a strong and trusting relationship with their pets' healthcare providers. This relationship not only ensures the best possible care for our animals, it also helps us to better understand what...

Integrative Veterinary Medicine and The Benefits of Real Mushrooms for Pet Health Integrative Veterinary Medicine and The Benefits of Real Mushrooms for Pet Health Have you heard of integrative medicine for pets? It's a holistic approach to pet healthcare that combines conventional veterinary medicine with complementary therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal medicine, supplements and nutrition. One complementary modality that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the use of...

As pet owners, we want the best care for our furry friends, and good communication with our veterinarian is essential to achieving that goal.  In this episode of "Why Do Pets Matter?" Dr. Deborah Thompson, DVM and I discuss the challenges faced by both veterinarians and pet owners in communicating effectively and offer some practical tips to help improve the dialogue between them.  We'll also explore the benefits of better communication, including improved pet health outcomes, increased...