The Kentucky Bar Association Pet Custody Course
Designed for lawyers and mediators who want to acquire the unique skill of understanding Pet Custody “through the eyes of the pet.”
In this three part, five hour course you will learn practical tools to effectively navigate the delicate question of “who keeps the dog?”
Taught live online by dog behavior expert and family mediator Karis Nafte.
Course Date
January 2024
Tuesdays 16,23 & 30th.
11:00am-12.30 EST
Discounted price for this course for KBA members, $600
During the course we cover the following in relation to divorce and custody matters:
The basics of dog behaviour
How to recognize signs of stress in dogs
Questions to get a comprehensive, useful history of pets
How should age and breed factor into custody decisions
The impact of shared custody vs sole custody on dogs
Models for shared custody plans that best suit dogs
Best practice for transitioning to sole/shared custody, common mistakes to avoid
Rescue dogs
Children and pets
Cats parrots and other household pets
Emotional support dogs
Humanizing, weaponizing, and bargaining over pets
Houses with multiple pets
Plan for a dog’s end of life
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While Arkansas still considers pets personal property, a growing number of states are beginning to take account of animals’ interests during the divorce process.
Article by Michelle Strause for the Arkansas Bar Association on pet custody
Read - Arkansas Bar Association article -
Who gets the dog in Australia after a separation?
Written by Jane Libbis Partner at Umbrella Family Law, if you live in Australia, here’s how the law currently stands. -
Anyone who works with family pets is likely to end up with clients in the heartbreaking situation of getting a divorce and needing to decide who keeps the dog
Testimonials from past graduates
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“Karis really has mastered both the mediation world and animal behavior. She switches hats effortlessly and has produced a valuable course. In doing so, you get to enjoy her warm personality so that learning is a pleasure, not a chore. A great new tool in my toolbox.
Laura Lorber - Mediator
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"The Pet Mediation training course was so informative. Karis brought decades of knowledge to the course and presented it in a logical understandable manner. She gave us factual information, talked us through case studies and provided her “pre-mediation questionnaire” which was absolute gold. "
Dari DeSousa, PHR
Human Resources Consultant/Mediator -
“I would recommend the Pet Custody Mediation Course in the highest terms…Karis was endlessly supportive, providing helpful resources and practical tips and guidance which built confidence amongst the class participants, whilst providing a handy reference pack for practitioners.”
Dr Jane Bryan, Mediator, United Kingdom
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“Karis fills the void of information regarding what happens to the family pet, from a behavioral standpoint, when there has been a separation between Owners/Guardians.”
Marci Kraft - Child Custody Recommending Counselor / Mediator
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“All of our lawyers recently had the pleasure of completing Karis’s pet custody course and we loved it!…We highly recommend this course to any family law practitioners”.
Jane Libbis - Umbrella Family Law
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“…Her experience as an animal behaviorist and mediator gives her valuable skills and insight. I would recommend this course to anyone involved in conflicts about animals.”
Liz Rubenstein - Attorney & Mediator
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“I loved this training! Your Pet Custody Webinar was fascinating and not only will I use the information and guidance you provided in my mediation practice…”
Carloyn Kalos - Mediator
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“Karis, I watched your webinar today at the ABA Dispute Resolution Mediation Week and it was absolutely outstanding, thank you!”
Susan Andrews - Attorney & Mediator
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“I enjoyed the webinar a great deal! Karis is an excellent presenter and the information she provided is unique and thorough.”
Laura Dadagian-O’Rourke - Mediator