Susan Guthrie welcomes Karis Nafte, Pet Custody Mediator and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, to explore the complexities of pet custody in divorce.

With the legal landscape around pets evolving, the topic of pet custody has become increasingly relevant for divorcing couples. Karis, founder of Who Keeps the Dog?, sheds light on the unique challenges of navigating custody for your furry family members and shares insights from her new book, Who Keeps the Dog: Navigating Pet Custody During Divorce.

In this conversation, Karis explains how divorce can impact your beloved pets and provides practical strategies to ensure their well-being throughout the process.

What You'll Hear:

• Why pets are no longer treated as mere property in divorce


• How the changing legal landscape impacts pet custody decisions


• Key considerations for creating a pet custody agreement


• Tips for minimizing stress for your pets during separation

Golden Nuggets:

• “ You can't make the decision on the dog's future based on your hurt feelings or your negative emotions. You're not considering your dog. You're not seeing the situation through their eyes. And that's really hard, but you can do it. The most correct decision for the dog is there, if you dig for it.”
  
  
  
  


• “ Your dog will be fine. Dogs are so much more adaptable than we think they are. Don't imagine that your dog will be as upset as you are. I know that's hard to hear. It's harder for us than it is for dogs.”
  
  
  
  


• “ How do we look after our pets during divorce where we're really focusing on what's best for the dog? It's hard to do that when emotions do what they do in divorce.”

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About this week's special guest: Karis Nafte



Karis Nafte is the founder of Who Keeps the Dog, Pet Custody Mediation. A Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant & Accredited Family Mediator, she brings 25 years professional experience as a dog behaviour expert into her work of dogs and divorce. A global pioneer in her work, in addition to seeing her own clients, Karis teaches the first accredited pet custody education course for divorce professionals.

An author with a unique background, Karis has presented on the subject pet custody for the American Bar Association, the Association of Professional Family Mediators, The Ontario Association of Family Mediators, The South Africa Association of Mediators, the Kentucky Bar Association, The Multnomah Bar Association, International Mediation Week and many others. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Scripps News, The New York Post, VICE News, ABC News and Australian Dog Lover Magazine.



Karis’ book: Who Keeps the Dog? Navigating Pet Custody During Divorce



Divorce and Beyond Listeners - Enjoy 10% off Karis’ Pet Custody Course. To get this special offer, simply email karis@whokeepsthedog.com and mention this special Divorce and Beyond promo.



Karis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karis-nafte-cdbc-b4b9b81a6/

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:



TURNS OUT PODCAST



Introducing Turns Out..., my brand-new podcast launching in the new year. This show is all about life’s unexpected twists and turns—those aha moments that change everything. From career pivots to personal revelations, we’ll explore the stories that prove life is full of surprises.

Make sure to visit turnsoutpodcast.com and keep an eye out for our launch drop! You won’t want to miss these inspiring stories, and you might even hear some familiar voices.

Stay tuned, and remember, Turns Out... life has so much more in store than we ever imagined!



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PARACHUTE HOME

Going through a divorce is tough, and self-care can easily get overlooked. Something that helped me was creating a cozy space to relax.

I found Parachute Home—bedding and home goods that bring real comfort. Imagine ending your day wrapped in the softest sheets or a warm blanket.

If you're looking to add a bit of peace to your home, visit divorcebeyond.com/parachute. When you shop through my link, it supports the podcast, and I appreciate it.

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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE!  https://divorcebeyond.com/Sponsorship-Info

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MEET OUR CREATOR AND HOST:

SUSAN GUTHRIE®, ESQ., the creator and host of The Divorce and Beyond® Podcast, is nationally recognized as one of the top family law and divorce mediation attorneys in the country.  Susan is the Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and is a sought-after keynote speaker, business and practice consultant, coach and trainer. You can find out more about Susan and her services here:  https://neon.page/susanguthrie

Internationally renowned as one of the leading experts in online mediation, Susan created her Learn to Mediate Online® program and has trained more than 25,000 professionals in how to transition their practice online.  Susan recently partnered with legal and mediation legend, Forrest "Woody" Mosten to create the Mosten Guthrie Academy which provides gold-standard, fully online training for mediation and collaborative professionals at all stages of their careers.  

Follow Susan Guthrie and THE DIVORCE AND BEYOND PODCAST on social media for updates and inside tips and information:

Susan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susaneguthrie/

Susan on Instagram @susanguthrieesq

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You can get in touch with Susan at divorceandbeyondpod@gmail.com. 

Don't forget to visit the webpage www.divorceandbeyondpod.com and sign up for the free NEWSLETTER to receive a special welcome video from Susan and more!!

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DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN LEGAL ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM.