petsandtheirpeople
Veterinary behaviour services for vets
and vet nurses
I work online covering the whole of the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The services I offer - online courses, tailored CPD, and individual casework - have all been carefully designed to:
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"Bridge the gap between veterinary medicine and behaviour to facilitate ethical and effective case management, and problem prevention, in dogs and cats"​​
Online courses...
I have begun my course collection with my soapbox topic of pseudopregnancies in dogs. There will be more to come in future months and years – for vets, vet nurses, behaviourists, pet owners/carers, and dog trainers. The majority of courses will explore the intersection between physical health and behaviour in dogs and cats, and will always be underlined by a contextualised, evidence-based, ethical, and welfare-focused approach.
To purchase, and/or to sign up for my mailing list to be notified about new courses or services...
Tailored CPD...
I have two set offerings, which are essentially ‘ask me anything’ sessions, but they can also be themed around pre-arranged topics. These might be used to discuss questions raised by one of my online courses, common case types the practice encounters, problem prevention, behavioural ‘first aid’, or behavioural services the nursing staff would like to offer, such as puppy socialisation sessions. They can also be a hotch-potch of questions – as long as it’s within the topic of dog and/or cat behaviour, it’s entirely up to you.
1. Q&A session, online (Zoom), up to 75 minutes maximum, for any number of veterinary practice participants: £90
2. Q&A session, online (Zoom), up to 75 minutes maximum, for any number of veterinary practice participants, plus access to the recording for one calendar month afterwards for staff who could not attend live or wish to view again: £120
If you are looking for something more specific (this would include in-person sessions), I may be able to put something together, especially to suit your needs (price negotiable). To discuss or book tailored CPD, please contact me...
Individual casework...
My casework is somewhat different to what you may be expecting. I no longer accept cases that a non-veterinary behaviourist could manage alone:
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"I only take cases where the input of a veterinary behaviourist is essential, i.e. those where a significant component of the case falls into that intersection between veterinary medicine and dog and cat behaviour"​​
Examples include cases where:
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Medical issues are suspected to be causing or significantly contributing to problematic behaviour change in dogs and cats
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Co-morbidities are muddying the diagnostic and/or treatment process
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Psychoactive medication is needed to initiate or progress positive behaviour change.
These animals often present with fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, and/or very odd behaviour.
Then, within that, I have areas in which I am particularly interested. These include canine pseudopregnancy in female dogs (whether entire/intact or spayed), behaviour change after neutering (both sexes), gastrointestinal causes of behaviour change/problems in dogs and cats, and behavioural change/problems in senior cats. That said, anything that falls into the veterinary/behaviour intersection will pique my interest, and I always enjoy a good medical mystery!
Me and my dog pal, Rita
Why do just these cases? Well...
I think we can broadly agree that:
​1. We are not taught enough about behaviour at university to equip us for real life in veterinary practice
2. There is an ever-increasing recognition of significant overlap between veterinary medicine and pet behaviour
3. Experienced veterinary behaviourists are in short supply in the UK; the majority of pet behaviourists are not vets
4. These non-vet behaviourists, and/or the pet owner/carers, are going to be coming to you, in good faith, for you to ‘do your bit’ when they suspect the medical and behavioural overlap… and that brings us back to number 1 on this list!
This is the specific gap that I am seeking to bridge, and when it comes to individual casework, there are four ways I can do it. In a nutshell, these are:
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​Level 1 consultation:
For a maximum of 3 succinct questions about a case. I have no direct contact with the pet owner/carer, only you.
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Level 2 consultation:
For a case that falls in the veterinary medicine/pet behaviour intersection, where there is no behaviourist currently working the case. I have no direct contact with the pet owner/carer, only you.
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Level 3 consultation:
For a case that falls in the veterinary medicine/pet behaviour intersection, where there is a non-vet behaviourist currently working the case. I have no direct contact with the pet owner/carer, only you and the behaviourist.
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Level 4 consultation:
For a complex case that falls in the veterinary medicine/pet behaviour intersection. Due to the complexity of the case, I will need to be in direct contact with the pet owner/carer as well as you and the behaviourist, if there is one. If there isn't, the pet owner/carer must also be willing to employ a non-vet behaviourist after my part in the case is concluded (the veterinary/behaviour intersection) if there are still some residual behavioural issues left requiring support, as I need to move swiftly to the next case where veterinary behaviourist input is essential; remember, vet behaviourists are in short supply.
This comparison table summarises what each consultation level includes...
Please note, I am not registered for VAT, so these prices are fully inclusive.
Unsure about the consultation level required for your specific case?
Use level 1 for...
• A case where you have a maximum of 3 succinct questions to which I can (hopefully) provide succinct answers. All conducted by email, and up to 5 minutes of video footage can also be supplied for analysis. I will not analyse the full medical or behavioural history or have any interaction with the pet owner/carer or non-vet behaviourist (if there is one). It is up to you (the referring vet) to provide me with the salient points by email, and I will ask any clarifying questions required. Anything more involved is likely to require levels 2, 3 or 4. I will let you know if this is the case. Please note, if your enquiry is regarding canine pseudopregnancy in an entire or spayed bitch, I wrote two short articles a few years ago for Improve International’s free vet info hub ‘Veterinary Practice’, so it is worth reading these before emailing me: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pseudopregnancy-myths https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pseudopregnancy-in-spayed-bitches
Use level 2 for...
• A case where the pet owner/carer is not currently working with a non-vet behaviourist (but may have in the past). You (the referring vet) suspect a significant component of this case falls within the veterinary/behavioural intersection and requires the advice and/or guidance of a vet behaviourist. This could be at the diagnostic and/or treatment level. Any advice or guidance will be tailored to the individual case based on the information provided in the medical history (and historical behavioural history, if there is one), and any specific questions you have asked. As I will not have any interaction with the pet owner/carer, the more information you provide in addition to the medical history (if it’s not that illuminating), the more I can contextualise (tailor) my recommendations to the individual animal, pet/owner carer, and situation. All conducted by email, and up to 5 minutes of video footage can also be supplied for analysis. If I have clarifying questions, these can be discussed by email or telephone, whichever you prefer. I will then provide a written report. One month of follow-up is included in the initial consultation fee (starting from the date I email the written report), and more can be purchased, depending on the needs of the case. • Cases where the client has limited finances (so there is no behaviourist currently working the case), but you suspect a significant component of this case falls within the veterinary/behavioural intersection and requires the advice and/or guidance of a vet behaviourist. One of the practice nurses may have given ‘behavioural first aid’ advice, and you are doing what you can to support your client (e.g. by directing them to free online resources) in what might be a difficult situation. The referring veterinary practice will be responsible for my fee at level 2 (which you can pass on to the pet owner/carer).
Use level 3 for...
• A case where your client is already working with a non-vet behaviourist, and one or both of you suspect a significant component of this case falls within the veterinary/behavioural intersection and needs advice and/or guidance. This could be at the diagnostic and/or treatment level. Any advice or guidance will be tailored to the individual case based on the information provided in the medical and behavioural histories, and a Zoom meeting between me and the behaviourist where we will discuss the nuances of the case; I will not have any interaction with the pet owner/carer. The behaviourist will be responsible for gathering any further information required from the owner/carer, and I will supply you both with a written report following the initial consultation. • As I have no interaction with pet/owner carer at level 2, these cases tend to be ones where the non-vet behaviourist has already gathered a comprehensive history (which might include up to 30 minutes of video) and has an excellent rapport with the client. Whilst one or both of you have a good grasp on the direction of the case, you still need a veterinary behaviourist to fill in the knowledge and skills gaps, to link together the veterinary and behavioural sides of the case to facilitate effective case management. Anything more complex is likely to necessitate direct contact between me and the pet owner/carer and will require level 4. The referring veterinary practice or the non-vet behaviourist will be responsible for my fee at level 3 (which you can pass on to the pet owner/carer). FAQ 9 expands on why this is.
Use level 4 for...
• A case that fits level 3 criteria but that is far more complex and therefore necessitates my being in direct contact with the pet owner/carer throughout my involvement in the case. If you are not sure whether a case necessitates level 3 or 4, just put me in touch with the non-vet behaviourist currently working the case, as a chat with them should allow me to direct you to the appropriate level. • A case where there is no non-vet behaviourist currently involved. I will only be dealing with that part of the case that falls within the veterinary/behavioural intersection. Thus, the pet owner/carer must also be willing to employ a non-vet behaviourist after my part in the case is concluded (the veterinary/behaviour intersection) if there are still some residual behavioural issues requiring support, as I need to move swiftly to the next case where veterinary behaviourist input is essential; remember, vet behaviourists are in short supply. Please note, level 4 casework is so time and energy-consuming that I limit how many of these I have on the go at any one time and cannot always take them on. I am more likely to prioritise a case that is in one of my areas of particular interest. That is, canine pseudopregnancy, behavioural change after neutering (both sexes), gastrointestinal causes of behavioural change/problems in dogs and cats, and behavioural change in senior cats. I like any good medical mystery! At level 4 it is the pet owner/carer who pays my fee directly.
Regardless of the consultation level, my advice and/or guidance will always put animal welfare first and take into consideration any safety issues.
Next steps to refer...
For a level 1 consultation:
Simply email your questions (up to a maximum of 3) and I will reply with my answers and the invoice. I work Monday to Thursday, 9am to 7.30pm, excluding Bank Holidays. I aim to reply to all level 1 enquiries within three of my working days. However, I am a sole trader, so illness, personal emergencies, and sheer work overload can occasionally interfere with my response time.
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For level 2, 3 and 4 consultations:
Contact me to ascertain my availability for a new case at whatever level you think is appropriate. Include a few lines on the type of case it is, the broad details, and what you need help with. I will then let you know if I can take the case, and we can organise the referral, which is straightforward (no forms to fill in!). Due to GDPR and patient confidentiality, please don’t send me the full medical or behavioural history until we have established I can take the case (based on the broad strokes you have sent me and my own availability).
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Sometimes the consultation level you request may not be appropriate. If so, I will get back to you by email to discuss further. If you are unsure what level is required, just contact me by email with the broad strokes; I can also arrange for us to talk by phone if that is easier.
Have more questions? Scroll through the FAQs below, and if your questions aren’t covered there, please contact me.
FAQs...
1. Are you a behavioural medicine specialist? No. Only vet behaviourists that are recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) as behavioural medicine specialists can call themselves that, and I am not; only a handful of the UK’s practising vets are, and most work at universities or for animal charities. The use of the word ‘specialist’ is strictly controlled in the UK vet profession, as it should be. Interestingly, those outside the veterinary profession can call themselves what they like, including a ‘behaviour specialist’, due to the lack of government regulation of the behaviour and training professions. For more information about me, my qualifications and experience, please follow the ‘About’ link in the main menu.
2. Do you prescribe medications or offer a 24-hour emergency service? No. I never physically examine the animal; therefore, I do not prescribe medications, nor do I provide a 24-hour emergency service, so the referring vet and I are always working together for the welfare of the pet, with me in an advisory/guidance role. The referring vet will be responsible for carrying out/organising any necessary diagnostics and prescribing any necessary medications. Thus, the referring vet assumes responsibility for any emergencies that may arise during the case. At levels 2, 3 and 4, following the initial written report, I update the referring vet intermittently and at critical points, all the way until the end of my involvement, and can be contacted any time by phone for case discussions. I do not publicise my phone number, but you will have that as soon as I take the case.
3. Will you take cases that have no medical components at all, i.e. of primary behavioural origin? No, I leave these to the non-veterinary behaviourists who are in far greater supply than experienced vet behaviourists. I only take cases where a significant component of the case falls within the intersection between the veterinary and the behavioural. Certainly, some cases will have mixed medical and non-medical components, and the non-veterinary behaviourist involved in the case will be working on the latter.
4. How is it that non-veterinary behaviourists are spotting cases that might have a medical cause or contributory factor? Isn’t that our job? Whilst the pet behaviour industry is unregulated, and there is no one set route by which to become a behaviourist, one thing common to any behaviourist of substance is recognising the limits of their competency. One of those limits is the medical side to a case. However, in order to know not to attempt to treat this, they do need to be able to recognise its existence. Thus, there are ‘red flags’ that behaviourists can be taught to look for that indicate a possible medical origin or component to a case, and when they do, they and/or the pet owner/carer will be coming to you to ‘do your bit’. If you are unsure if there is a medical problem manifesting behaviourally, or what it is, or how to treat it, that’s when you seek the advice and/or guidance of a vet behaviourist. Given the time behaviourists spend with the pet owner/carer, often in their home or through video analysis, and the extended history they take, it should not be surprising that they spot possible clinical signs or tip-offs in the history that you did not, that may indicate something medical is afoot; you are not necessarily going to spot everything relevant in a standard 10 to 15 minute clinic consultation. Thus, vets and behaviourists need to work together as a team, for the welfare of the pet and, sometimes, for public safety.
5. Why do you work online and not in person? Mainly because it allows me to work more efficiently and reach areas of the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man with no resident veterinary behaviourist. At each level of consultation, from 1 to 4, I draw together increasing amounts of information from a variety of sources to provide advice and/or guidance and offer support. Virtual, remote consultations using videoconferencing were not really ‘a thing’ in veterinary medicine until the Covid pandemic, when we all had a very sharp introduction to its pros and cons. I will never jeopardise a dog or cat by taking a case that I feel really needs to be seen in person, though these are few, given video and messaging technology these days. In addition, I am often working with a local non-vet behaviourist who is seeing the client in person and with you (as I only work from veterinary referral) who can physically examine the pet.
6. What if we select a lower-level consultation, and as the case progresses, it becomes apparent we need a higher level? This does occasionally happen; it’s natural, as more information comes to light. As long as I have the capacity for a new case at a higher level, then we will simply convert the case to that level. Where the initial consultation fee has already been paid, only the difference between the higher and lower levels will be due (from the appropriate person, depending on the level). Follow-up will be priced according to the new level.
7. What is included in the initial consultation fee? At level 1, it is the time and expertise it takes to consider and answer your questions (a maximum of 3 succinct questions) and analyse up to 5 minutes of video (if available). I will not analyse the full medical or behavioural history or have any interaction with the pet owner/carer or non-vet behaviourist (if there is one). It is up to you (the referring vet) to provide me with the salient points by email, and I will ask any clarifying questions required. A telephone call can be arranged if that is easier to discuss certain aspects of the case (in place of, not in addition to, email). At level 2, it is the time and expertise expended analysing any medical or behavioural history I have been sent (including up to 5 minutes of video), any literature research I need to do, and compiling the written report I send. I also include the first month of follow-up within that fee. Follow-up can be extended beyond the first month for a further fee (see the comparison table above). Most contact is by email, but we can arrange a telephone call if that is easier to discuss certain aspects of the case, and that is included within the fee. I will have no contact with the pet owner/carer. The initial consultation fee at level 3 includes everything from level 2, but the video analysis can be up to 30 minutes, and a Zoom meeting with the non-vet behaviourist to discuss much of the nuance of the case, is also included. I will have no contact with the pet owner/carer, but will have frequent contact with the non-vet behaviourist, via whatever medium is best for the case. The initial consultation at level 4, includes everything from level 2 or 3 (depending on whether a non-vet behaviourist is currently involved in the case), but the Zoom meeting will involve the pet owner/carer, (as well as the behaviourist, if there is one), as will most communications. Video analysis is unlimited at level 3, within reason(!).
8. What is included in the monthly follow-up fee? Follow-up can make or break some cases, so I include one month of follow-up in the initial consultation fee at levels 2, 3, and 4, as standard. This is a calendar month, starting from the moment I send the written report. Follow-up can be extended beyond the first month for a further fee (see the comparison table above), depending on the needs of the case. However, I must caution you that the kind of cases I take at levels 3 and 4 usually do need several months of follow-up; on occasion, it can be more than a year. At all levels where follow-up is offered (levels 2, 3, and 4) this allows you (the referring vet) to continue to ask me questions, as the case pans out. At level 3, I am doing the same for the non-vet behaviourist involved in the case, so that they can, in turn, support the pet owner/carer. It also allows me to monitor the clinical and behavioural signs, and response to treatment, so I can advise and/or guide you both accordingly. At level 4, this is happening directly between me and the pet owner/carer (and the non-vet behaviourist, if there is one) and you (the referring vet). There is no limit to how frequently the appropriate person (depending on the consultation level) contacts me during follow-up; it is whatever the case requires. Contact with you (the referring vet) is usually by email, but can be by telephone where that is easier to discuss certain aspects of the case. With the non-vet behaviourist and the pet owner/carer it can be email, telephone, WhatsApp, or Zoom – whatever is appropriate for the needs of the case. At levels 2, 3, and 4, the video allotment can be used during follow-up if it has not been used up by the initial consultation.
9. How come the referring veterinary practice pays at level 1 and 2, and sometimes the non-vet behaviourist pays at level three, and the client only pays at level 4? At level 1 and 2, it is you (the referring vet) who is engaging my services; I have no direct contact with the client. It is somewhat akin to communicating with a clinical pathologist at your external laboratory. Thus, the veterinary practice pays my fee, adds VAT, and passes this on to the client. You may wish to mark up the fee, though I would ask you to reconsider doing so, as one of the reasons I offer levels 1 and 2 is to allow pet owners/carers on a restricted budget to have the input of a veterinary behaviourist. At level 3, once again, I have no direct contact with the pet owner/carer, but an additional professional is involved – the non-vet behaviourist. I do not mind which of you pays, but it may make more sense for the behaviourist to pay (and then pass the fee onward to the client). This is because they are less likely to mark up the fee or to be VAT registered, thus saving the client money. At level 4, I am in direct contact with the pet owner/carer, so now it is them who pay my fee. At levels 1, 2 and 3, you will need to quote the client directly; at level 4, I will do that.
10. Can our client recoup your fee(s) through their pet insurance? Your client will need to check the small print of their policy or contact their insurer, but usually, yes. As I am a veterinary behaviourist registered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), and a full (VB) member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), I am usually on the list of behaviourists they deem to be acceptable(!). That said, as a vet, my fee often comes out of the client’s ‘veterinary pot’ and not the ‘behaviour pot’, though again the client will need to check. This does mean that sometimes my fee is paid even when an insurer does not cover behavioural issues, as my cases are primarily medical in origin, not behavioural. Where I need to submit claims on behalf of your client, I do not make a charge for this. On a case-by-case basis, I will accept direct payment from an insurer.
11. What can you do for my clients who are on a tight budget? If you can distil what advice and/or guidance you need into a maximum of 3 succinct questions, then level 1 may be appropriate (please see the table and notes above), and this carries the smallest fee. For levels 2 and 3, please read FAQ 9. At level 4, I can accept payment of the initial consultation fee in instalments or the full fee by credit card. Where a client has pet insurance, on a case-by-case basis, I may accept direct payment from the insurer. Also, please bear in mind that I am not VAT registered.
12. My client is not in the UK, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Can you help? I am only licensed to practise veterinary medicine within the UK, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. As the casework I do is in that intersection between veterinary medicine and dog and cat behaviour, this means I can only take cases that lie within that geographical boundary. If you, or your client, or the pet resides outside of that area, what I can do for you is limited to general advice only, as tailoring it to a specific animal would constitute an act of veterinary medicine, which would be illegal. The client will need to look for a veterinary behaviourist in their own country of residence. In terms of general advice, if the case is one of canine pseudopregnancy (whether the bitch is entire/intact or spayed), you could: 1.Read these two short articles I wrote a few years ago for Improve International’s free vet info hub ‘Veterinary Practice’: https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pseudopregnancy-myths https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/pseudopregnancy-in-spayed-bitches 2.Purchase my detailed course for vets, nurses and behaviourists on this topic – ‘Phantom Pregnancy – the silent killer’ (link), which answers most questions and will allow you to help more dogs than just your current case.
