Three vital specialties are converging to strengthen the Companion Animal – Human Bond: Positive Dog Training, Animal Behavior, and Animal Law. Federal, State, and Local Animal Laws cover a wide variety of legal issues regarding farm animals, wildlife, and more recently those dearest to us – our companion animals.
“It has been a pleasure to combine my love of animals, particularly dogs, with my law practice, to be able to bring about positive change for animals who are unable to speak for themselves,” says Heidi Meinzer, Attorney and Shareholder at Bean, Kinney & Korman, a Professional Corporation in Arlington, VA. Heidi provides legal representation to non-profit organizations, animal rescues, pet care businesses, and companion animal caregivers in a multitude of affairs including animal cruelty, Dangerous Dog proceedings, dog-bite cases, pet trusts, ownership disputes, and more.
“Currently, I devote a decent portion of my legal practice to animal law. I hope to be able to build an entire practice around animals and those who live and work with animals.” Already on the Executive Council as Secretary for the Maryland State Bar Association Animal Law Section, Heidi adds, “I would also like to focus my efforts lobbying for better companion animal laws in Virginia and starting an Animal Law Section with the Virginia State Bar.”
At present, Heidi actively contributes to a variety of organizations focused on animal law and animal welfare. She serves on the Homeward Trails Animal Rescue Board of Directors and recently joined the Board of Directors of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. Every year, the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies and the Virginia Animal Control Association publishes a new edition of the Virginia Comprehensive Animal Law Handbook; the handbook contains existing and new statutes enacted by the Virginia General Assembly.
Heidi’s creation of the Companion Animal Law Blog exemplifies her dedication to engage and inform the public on current companion animal issues in Virginia and the United States as well as promote responsible ownership. “As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and former public defender, I’ve always wanted to help the underdog.”Above and beyond Heidi’s legal work and understanding of animal rescue operations, Heidi says, “I’ve always been an animal lover and shared the company of at least one dog for the majority of my life.”
One dog, Sye, suffered from severe fear aggression. Sye’s behavior issues, Heidi explains, “were more than I could solve.” In 2008, Heidi adopted Sophie, abeautiful German Shepherd mix, from A Forever-Home Rescue Foundation. Although Sophie also exhibited reactivity and confidence issues, “I’ve had the chance to work with fantastic trainers to help Sophie build confidence and turn her reactivity around.” Significantly, “Through Sye and Sophie my eyes opened to dog training and animal behavior.”
Over a year ago, Heidi began volunteering for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria as a Dog Companion, walking dogs and providing extra attention to adoptable dogs. “Earlier this year, a volunteer position with the Training and Behavior Department came up and I jumped at the chance to work with Abbie Hubbard who heads up that department.” Heidi works one-on-one with dogs, engages them in enrichment activities, assists dogs that have been at the shelter a long time or need help adjusting to temporary shelter life, and updates file information for the adoption staff about dogs’ favorite toys, tricks, and activities.
In addition to Heidi’s membership in the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) which endorses continuing dog training education and provides networking opportunities, Heidi is now an Assistant Trainer with the elite, positive reinforcement only, Fur-Get Me Not Training Team, which includes Owner and Lead Instructor, Tammy Rosen (CPDT-KA), and Dog Training Director and Lead Instructor, Vivian Leven Shoemaker, (CPDT-KA).
“I’ve been a long standing client of Fur-Get Me Not, using them for training doggie day care, dog walking and pet sitting.” Heidi says, “I’m even more thrilled because of Fur-Get Me Not’s particular mission – to help people train their dogs to be good family pets and to help rescue and shelter dogs get off to a good start.” Heidi emphasizes, “Fur-Get Me Not is right there helping out.”
While continuing to develop her dog training and animal behavior skills, Heidi is studying to obtain her CPDT-KA certification, through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. “I want to use that knowledge to continue working with rescues, shelters and local businesses in the pet care industry to improve the lives of rescue and shelter dogs and make them more adoptable.”
Overpopulation continues to be a crucial issue. “Over the decades,” Heidi states, “we have greatly reduced the number of animals euthanized in shelters and pounds, but we still have a very long way to go.” With the rise of Humane Leadership and Humane Education many efforts such as, aggressive spay-neuter efforts, legislation and criminal prosecutions, and local ordinances banning the sale of animals in stores combine to tackle overpopulation.
According to Heidi, “Since 2008, when Virginia overhauled its companion animal laws with the Comprehensive Animal Care Act and enacted the country’s first puppy mill law, Virginia has made great strides in the areas of companion animal law and animal protection. Although Virginia has placed great emphasis recently on improving its companion animal laws, we still have a long way to go, especially with hunting laws and wildlife protection.”
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