Fighting for the Underdog

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Chris Carraway, Professor in the Animal Law Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Before joining the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, Chris Carraway was a lead attorney for the Colorado State Public Defender. There, Chris handled everything from low-level misdemeanors to first-degree murder; participated in over sixty jury trials; and litigated cases in the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Cerridwyn Nordstrom, one of our Associate Attorneys here at the Animal Law Firm on our segment of “Who are we at ALF?”. Cerridwyn is a legally blind attorney licensed in Colorado. She was born and raised in southern Colorado and attended the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. As a lifelong animal enthusiast and guide dog user, she is particularly passionate about the rights of service dogs and their handlers.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Tajinder Uppal, the President of UC Berkeley’s Animal Legal Defense Fund. Taj is involved in multiple animal welfare groups including Direct Action Everywhere, the Sierra, Legal Impact for Chickens, as well as being involved in a variety of current animal welfare cases.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jessica Beaulieu, Program Manager of the Animal Law Program at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. The DU Animal Law Program is the only animal law program in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. They provide educational and hands-on opportunities to engage with the legal and moral issues surrounding the use of animals for food, entertainment, experimentation, and fashion.

Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "What should I look for in an animal attorney?"

In this segment of "Who Are We At ALF?", Hannah Grant interviews Josh Hartsfield, our Head Law Clerk here at the Animal Law Firm! Josh is a law student at the University of Denver and has worked at the firm since his first year of law school. His work and research areas include factory farming reform and criminal defense for activists arrested in the course of civil disobedience.

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "Can I sue a breeder for blocking my pets vet records and giving incorrect information that led to the puppy’s death?".

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Rachel Griggs, our paralegal here at the Animal Law Firm! Rachel is planning to start law school in the Fall of 2023. Once she graduates, she wants to use her law degree to improve the rights and welfare of humans and animals, especially those in need. Rachel is the first guest on our segment “Who are WE at ALF”, so check it out!

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "How much is a service dog worth?"

A NEW SEASON of the Fighting for the Underdog Podcast starts TODAY! In season 4, you will learn “Who are WE at ALF”?! In this season, we will interview ALF staff, clients, and guest speakers willing to share their stories with you! Our first episode features Cara Achterberg, President and Cofounder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out. Who Will Let the Dogs Out is a nonprofit organization that works to raise awareness and resources for shelter dogs and the people who fight to save them.

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "How do I get my dog back from the shelter?".

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "Can I get into trouble for feeding stray cats?".

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "How do I retrieve a stolen dog?".

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "How do I deal with Veterinary Malpractice?"

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "Can I Sue My Breeder?"

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "How do I Sue a Large Pet Corporation?"

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "What is the difference between Criminal and Civil Cases?"

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Sophia Martianou about her case and petition to “Keep Kano Home”. On September 16th, 2022 the Gloucester Township Civil Court of New Jersey ruled that Olde English Bulldogge, Kano, be returned to a household where he was abandoned, neglected, and abused. Sophia will discuss this case, current laws that deem pets as property, and how you can help protect Kano, as well as other pets in this situation.

#sophiamartianou #keepkanohome #petsarenotproperty #oldeenglishbulldogge #supportkano #fightingfortheunderdog #animallawfirm #alf

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "Who is responsible in a dog bite defense case?"

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Collin Monda, director, filmmaker, photographer, and musician, to talk about his film, The Trouble with Wolves, available on iTunes, prime video, youtube, and more. This documentary is a unique take on the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. Through interviews with professionals in the animal welfare field, as well as local perspectives, this film seeks to answer the question, “Do wolves deserve a place in this landscape?”.

In this special "Season 0" of Fighting for the Underdog, Attorney and ALF Founder, Kristina Bergsten, will be answering common questions asked by potential clients. Listen in every Thursday to find out if ALF can help YOU! This episode answers the question, "what ESA documentation do you need to provide for landlords?"

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jessica Miller, Education and Outreach Coordinator with the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, located in Fort Collins, CO!  Their mission is to inspire the protection and appreciation of raptors and the spaces where they live through excellence in rehabilitation, education, and research. RMRP is a community-based team of raptor rehabilitation experts, Colorado State University veterinarians, and highly-trained volunteers provide compassionate care and rehabilitation to every wounded raptor in need. Their research helps protect raptors in the wild, and they play a vital role in conservation education, providing hands-on learning about raptor species and the environment.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Animal Control Officers, Sara Spensieri and Brandy Perkins, with Boulder County Sheriff's Office. They are here to discuss emergency preparedness for animals and why it is so essential to efficiency, and ultimately safety in emergency response. This has been especially prominent in Boulder, CO throughout the last decade and beyond as they have had to deal with forest fires, floods, and other natural disasters on top of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jo Anna Dressler Kloster, an author, dog-lover, and advocate against puppy mills! Her book, “Lily Unleashed” is based on 10 years of research behind puppy mills and is endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States, as well as internationally-recognized animal behaviorist, Dr. Franklin MacMillan. Jo Anna is also a Humane Policy Volunteer Leader with the Humane Society of the United States and a lobbyist for animal welfare issues.

Welcome to the third season of Fighting for the Underdog! We are excited to expand our guest list this season to artists, authors, photographers, and other creative advocates in the animal welfare field. Our first episode features Dominique Montano, an artist who works in pastels, charcoals, inks, and watercolors to capture and translate the wild world around us! Her background is in science, art, zoology, and education. We are ecstatic to have her on as a guest to discuss her artwork, research, and education!

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Kathy McGuire, the President and Founder of NJ Aid for Animals. NJ Aid for Animals is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the motto, “Advocacy. Action. Impact.”. Their mission is to provide programs for domestic animals on wellness, humane education, spay and neuter with a focus on impoverished communities; reporting abuse and pursuing justice for abused animals. Kathy has been an involved member, helping fight for animal rights in many important court cases.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Almira Tanner, lead organizer at Direct Action Everywhere! Direct Action Everywhere’s mission is to create revolutionary social and political change for animals in one generation. Listen in as they discuss her background in animal welfare, DXE’s work on the Smithfield trial in Utah, and how you can get involved to help fight for animal rights!

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Dr. Stuart Goldman! Dr. Goldman has been essential in a case close to the Animal Law Firm’s heart involving Saint the dog at ACCT Philly.  Listen in as we discuss his work with animal cruelty investigations, founding of the Broken Promises Sanctuary, and insights into animal cruelty cases.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jim Crosby, the Division Management Consultant of Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services, with a background in Veterinary Forensic Medicine. Jim teaches safe handling and rehabilitation of Dangerous Dogs and Investigation of Fatal and Serious Dog Attacks to police, animal control agencies, and others across the US and Canada. He has been instrumental in a number of successful prosecutions focused on dog-related fatalities.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jenna Mcelroy with Philadelphia Pulling for Pets, a fundraiser hosted by Emancipet, a nonprofit vet clinic in Philadelphia. Their mission is to raise money to make veterinary care more affordable and accessible to everyone. Emancipet’s Pulling for Pets fundraiser, held on Sunday, October 30th, should be a “Haul-of-a-good-time”! Listen in as we discuss all of the details for the event (including prizes, festivities, and more), universal veterinary care, and how you can get involved to help fight for animal rights.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Nina Jackel, the founder of Lady Freethinker, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending cruelty for all beings! Their mission is to expose and stop animal cruelty through investigative reporting and other media, citizen petitions, and partnerships with rescuers and activists on the ground worldwide. Listen in as we discuss animal cruelty investigations, the role of journalism in activism, and how signing petitions contributes to the fight for animal rights.

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Scott Fine, founder of Joey’s Legacy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to increase advocacy for companion animals, everywhere. Previously featured in season 1, episode 2 of Fighting for the Underdog, Joey’s Legacy is constantly changing and working to fight for animal rights, so we wanted to welcome them back onto the show to talk about current projects and progress! Listen in as we talk about the social and political environment surrounding the topic of veterinary malpractice, the future of Joey’s Legacy, and their documentary, movie, and two books being released!

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Jordan Dunn, Director of Community Engagement with Animal Friends Alliance. Animal Friends Alliance is an adoption-guarantee shelter and subsidized spay/neuter clinic offering resources to keep pets in loving homes, serving Colorado and beyond. Their mission is to provide comprehensive companion animal resources, services, and education to the community to prevent homelessness and promote the human-animal bond. Listen in as we talk about their community pet resources, volunteer and foster program, fundraising and more!

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Dr. Jeff Young, founder of Planned Pethood International. Their mission is to end economic euthanasia and significantly reduce pet overpopulation and suffering of companion animals by offering affordable common sense veterinary medicine to everyone. Listen in as we talk about Dr. Young’s experience, the systematic problems within the veterinary profession, medical training in other countries, his show (Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet) on Animal Planet, as well as the future of this organization!

Animal Attorney, Kristina Bergsten, as she receives an ON-SITE TOUR of Edward’s Rescue Ranch in Parker, CO. Kristina interviews Lynda Edwards, President of The Edwards Foundation for Rescued Animals, as they tour the ranch and meet the current animal residents! Edwards Animals is a small privately owned 501(c)(3) (non-profit, EIN 20-5988307) no-kill animal rescue. They have been rescuing animals for more than 25 years. Their mission is to make the world a better place by providing food, water, shelter, and happiness to animals in need.

Animal Attorney, Kristina Bergsten, interviews Roland Halpern with Colorado Voters for Animals (CVA). CVA’s mission is to protect animals through public policy and to support candidates who are committed to animal protection. They utilize communications and social media to promote legislation and elections, endorse pro-animal candidates and mobilize political support. Kristina and Roland discuss the progress, recruitment, and future of this 501(c)(4) organization. Learn how you can help support our furry and feathered friends!

Animal Attorney, Kristina Bergsten, interviews Quinn Pigott with Replace Denver BSL. Breed-Specific Legislation discriminates against false, stereotypically-aggressive dog breeds such as pitbulls, german shepherds, and more. Replace Denver BSL wants a breed-neutral safety law that will improve public safety, reduce the incidence of dog bites, and come at a lower cost to the taxpayer. In November of 2020, Denver voters took a step in the right direction by voting to lift the 30-year pit bull ban in favor of a breed-restricted permitting program. Kristina and Quinn discuss the current success of the organization, as well as the future. Learn how you can support this organization and help advocate for animal rights!

#breedspecificlegislation #replacedenverbsl #animalrights #denverlaw #fightingfortheunderdog #animallawfirm #alf

Animal Attorney, Kristina Bergsten, interviews Judy Muriithi with Lawyers for Animal Protection in Africa (LAPA). LAPA utilizes law, science, and policy to advocate for animal rights, protect endangered species, reduce illegal exploitation of wildlife, protect vulnerable habitats and ecosystems, and so much more! Join Kristina and Judy as they discuss policy reform, current events in Africa (the illegal donkey trade), the need for strategic urban planning, and the future of LAPA. Learn how you can support their organization and help advocate for animal rights!

Hannah Grant, with the Animal Law Firm, interviews Austin Hill, with The Wild Animal Sanctuary, located in Keenesburg, CO. They discuss the captive wildlife crisis, the history of the sanctuary, the adversity that 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations face, as well as some inspiring stories of rescued animals. Listen in to learn about the sanctuary's mission and the remarkable work they have done!

In this episode we dive deep into the world of Animal Control Officers (also known as Humane Officers, or, more archaically, "dog catchers"). Officer Michael Hildebrandt opens up to discuss how he became an animal control officer, his difficulties and successes, and provides many great tips on keeping your dog and pets out of trouble! 

Colorado Animal Attorney Kristina Bergsten interviews Angela Eaton of Canine Partners of the Rockies, a 501(c)(3) organization that enables Coloradans with disabilities to lead more independent and gratifying lives through training and partnering them with highly skilled service dogs. All your questions about service dogs are answered in this episode! 

Animal Attorney Kristina Bergsten interviews intrepid entrepreneur Sarah Eastin about her role in veganizing Colorado, compassion for animals, and living a healthier lifestyle. 

Animal Attorney Kristina Bergsten interviews the indomitable Podrska Founder, Dash Mezler, in this touching underdog story of hope, love, and the relentless pursuit of making the world a better place for people and animals. 

#fightingfortheunderdog

#animallawyer

#animalattorney

Animal Attorney, Kristina Bergsten, interviews Joey's Legacy founder, Scott Fine, to discuss the legal landscape of veterinary malpractice and how Scott's advocacy work is helping turn thousands of underdog stories into peace of mind for pet owners. 

#fightingfortheunderdog

#animalattorney

#animallawyer

Zuma's Rescue Ranch is a nonprofit organization that helps children and animals recover from trauma and become their best, brightest, and bravest selves! Listen to how this amazing underdog become a wonderdog! 

#fightingfortheunderdog

#animalattorney

#animallawyer