In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with the incomparable Dr. Adam Christman, Chief Veterinary Officer at dvm360, podcaster, content creator, and proud “pet parent first, veterinarian second.”

Adam shares why pets are, in his words, “living, breathing proof that connection heals” and how they turn medicine into meaning for veterinary professionals and families alike. We talk about what it really feels like to be the “other family doctor,” the emotional glue pets create in homes, and how every stabilized heartbeat or comforted patient ripples out to the people who love them.

We also dive into the tricky stuff: money conversations, Dr. Google, breeder and rescue communication, spectrum of care, and why veterinarians need to be seen as pet parents too. Adam’s stories about dachshund “wiener walks,” generational pet families, and the evolving language of “pet parents” versus “clients” will make you smile, think, and maybe see your own vet a little differently.

Watch It: https://youtu.be/H9sYYrgIDoI

Guest Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-adam-christman-0b884a6

https://www.dvm360.com/

https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/

https://njvma.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

Welcome back to "Why Do Pets Matter?" I'm your host, Debra Hamilton, coming to you from a very snowy Morehead City, North Carolina. I'm thrilled to welcome back Mindy Dutka, a passionate dog photographer and storyteller who uses her camera to advocate for the human-animal bond and raise awareness about animal welfare. Since we last spoke in June 2023, Mindy has been incredibly busy documenting life-changing spay-neuter clinics around the world.

Today, Mindy shares her recent experience in Suriname, where she worked alongside Caribbean Spay Neuter and World Tails to document an extraordinary clinic that spayed and neutered 566 dogs and cats in just four days. She'll take us behind the scenes to show us the dedication of veterinarians and volunteers working in challenging conditions, and explain why these clinics are so crucial for communities and their pets.

Whether you're an animal welfare advocate, a veterinary professional, or simply someone who loves pets, you'll find Mindy's stories both inspiring and eye-opening. Let's dive in.

Links for Show Notes

Mindy Dutka's Work:

Dogs I Meet: https://dogsimeet.com/

Organizations Featured:

Caribbean Spay Neuter: https://www.caribbeanspayneuter.org/

https://www.caribbeanspayneuter.org/post/welcome-to-suriname

World Tales: https://www.worldtails.org/campaigns

https://www.worldtails.org/past-campaigns

Related Content:

Previous episode with Mindy: SOS Save Our Pets event in El Arca Playa Del Sol (June 2023)

https://whydopetsmatter.podbean.com/e/mindy-dutka-community-helping-community-sos-el-arca-playa-del-sol-spay-neuter-initiative-on-why-do-pets-matter-hosted-by-debra-hamilton-ep-216/

In this episode of Why Do Pets Matter, I sit down with Dr. Amy Grimm, veterinarian and founder of Daring DVM Coaching, for a heartfelt conversation about burnout, nervous system health, and the human animal bond. Amy shares how our pets literally help regulate our nervous systems, why that sense of calm and belonging matters so much, and how we can bring the same compassion we offer our animals back to ourselves.

We talk about perfectionism in veterinary medicine, clients who arrive in survival mode, and what happens in the exam room when everyone’s stress is running the show. Amy offers practical, grounded tools like micro breaks, simple grounding rituals, and self compassion so veterinarians and pet professionals can show up as anchors instead of adversaries. If you have ever beaten yourself up after a hard appointment, wondered how to repair a rough conversation, or needed a reminder that you are more than your worst day, this episode is for you.

Watch It: https://youtu.be/9rc3y-FDGoc

Guest Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daringdvm

https://daringdvm.com/

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