Karis Nafte lying on grass with four dogs, smiling and playing outdoors with trees and a wooden fence in the background.
Karis Nafte lying on grass with four dogs, smiling and playing outdoors with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

Dogs have been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I feel deeply privileged to turn that lifelong love into meaningful work. It's an honor to help both dogs and their owners navigate some of life's most challenging moments together.

Hi, I’m Karis

I'm a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC No. 6602), an Internationally Accredited Family Mediator, and one of a small number of professionals worldwide specialising exclusively in pet custody disputes during separation and divorce. In my career of 27 years as a dog behaviourist, and the past 4 years as a qualified mediator specialising in the field of pet custody, I've built my career on compassionate, evidence-based approaches to canine behavior and human-animal relationships — spanning puppy socialization, separation anxiety, and aggression rehabilitation.

I specialize in:

- Resolving pet custody and guardianship disputes during separation and divorce

- Expert mediation services and behavior consultations

- Serving as an expert witness in legal proceedings

- Expert pet custody evaluation for legal professionals representing clients in custody cases

My work sits at the intersection of canine behavior, family law, and animal welfare — I aim for outcomes that prioritize the wellbeing of both animals and the families they belong to.

PUBLICATIONS

I'm the author of my groundbreaking book, Who Keeps the Dog: Navigating Pet Custody During Divorce, published by Dogwise Publishing — now a reference book for lawyers and mediators across the USA, Australia, and the UK.

COURSES & TRAINING

I've developed and run the following online training courses for legal professionals, mediators, Veterinarians and animal behaviorists:

- The Pet Custody Mediation Course for Divorce Professionals

- The Dog Trainer and Behaviourist Course — Understanding Pet Custody

- The Veterinarians Course

- The Parent Coordinators Course

- A full-day workshop for legal firms and organizations

- Online courses teaching pet custody

I also speak internationally on the subject of pet custody.

WHY THIS WORK MATTERS RIGHT NOW

Pet custody is no longer a footnote in family law.

- 30%+ of divorce cases now involve contested pet custody

- 69% of Australian households own a pet, fuelling a surge in family law disputes

- 672,000+ divorces were recorded in the US in 2023

- 9 US jurisdictions — including Alaska, Illinois, California, and New York — now require courts to consider a pet's wellbeing in custody decisions

- Australia's Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 reclassified pets as companion animals, not property

- Spain, France, and Portugal have granted pets legal status as sentient beings

- England and Wales are in the middle of a serious push for reform

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

I've presented and taught for:

- The American Bar Association

- The Kentucky Bar Association

- The University of Wisconsin

- The Academy for Professional Family Mediators

- The Ontario Association for Family Mediators

- The Resolution Institute (Australia)

- The Family Law Pathways Institution (Australia)

My articles have been published by:

- The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

- Divorce Magazine (UK)

- The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

- The Canadian Dog Trainers Association

CURRENT WORK

I currently serve on the Working Group on Pets on Divorce and Separation in England and Wales, contributing to legislative efforts regarding the treatment of companion animals in divorce proceedings. https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-group-on-pets-on-divorce-and-separation/

Carmaleta Aufderheide MS-CRES, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CSAT, and I , in collaboration with the IAABC teach a unique course called: Tails of Understanding: The Art of Communication With Our Human Clients

THE GAP I ENDEAVOUR TO CLOSE

In most legal systems, pets are still treated the same as furniture. No consideration of bond, behaviour, breed, or emotional wellbeing. Just property to be divided.

This gap between how much people love their animals and how poorly the system currently serves them is what I endeavour to close in my practice by building the tools, the training, and the professional community to change the way we approach pet custody.

You can contact me via email or set up a time to meet with me: 30 min free call

Karis has been featured in the following publications, TV shows and podcasts:

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Cover of The Divorce Magazine with the tagline 'Because so much is riding on your divorce'
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Logo for Pet Lifestyles Magazine with the text 'PET LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE'.
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Cover page of The Divorce Magazine with the tagline "Because so much is riding on your divorce".
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