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Important Warning Referral Form Vet Advice What To Expect Fees

We aim to help you with any problems you are bad pets having with your pet by providing behavioural advice, demonstrations and training.

Please Be Aware. There are many people out there calling themselves behaviourists who have very little knowledge about the subject. Unfortunately, it is still an unregulated business. If you seek help from a member of the APBC, or at least ask your vet to refer you to a specialist in your area, you can be sure that you are getting the best, most up to date help available. Be wary of people telling you they have "owned dogs for 25 years" but who are vague on their credentials; after all you wouldn't allow someone to cut and style your hair just because they had been growing and brushing their own hair all their life! You would expect them to have attended training and become qualified as a hairdresser before you parted with your hard earned cash. Your pet's welfare is arguably more important than a disasterous hairstyle, so please take the time to make sure that the person helping you is right for the job. Time and time again I see clients who are having to rectify the damage done by a harsh, unskilled 'specialist'.

Due to the busy nature of this job, I have asked fellow APBC member Angela Garrick to join me as an Associate. She is well respected and highly qualified. Clients in the South may be booked to see Angela for a home visit appointment. Joining together means that we can offer a more thorough service and have shorter waiting lists. We understand that sometimes an appointment is very urgent.

As a member of the APBC, I see problem behaviour cases on veterinary referral only. This is to ensure that all avenues have been covered and your pet gets the very best treatment. Please see the veterinary statement to explain why more fully.

If you think your pet needs a consultation, please use either of the referral forms below. Print one out and take it to your vet for completion. This takes only a few minutes. Many vets will already have a referral form in their practice or will prefer to write a personal referral letter. Any of these options is fine and lets me know that the referral is formal.

APBC Form CABSTG Form

Veterinarian's Statement

Before seeking a behavioural consult or beginning behavioural therapy for your pet, you will need a referral from your regular veterinarian. The referral is required because it is very important your pet first receives a full medical check-up, to rule out the many other medical problems that can also cause behavioural changes (liver disease, neurological disease, chronic pain to name just a few).

Sometimes behavioural changes can even be normal for the animal, but never seen before by the owner (female cats in heat generate a fair amount of concern, at times to vet and owner alike!). The vet consult should involve a short discussion about the development of the behavioural problem, any other changes noticed in health (appetite, energy, etc.) and a clinical exam. Depending on your pet's age and/or the presence of other symptoms, your vet may also request a blood sample be taken from your pet. In some cases, recent vet visits and tests may allow a referral without a further consult; you will need to speak to your vet surgery about this. When you and your vet are satisfied there are no underlying medical problems relevant to the behavioural changes, a referral letter or form confirming this will be sent to your behaviourist.

Take the time to ensure the behaviourist is accredited by a reputable organisation like the APBC. First of all, most pet insurance will only cover such accredited behaviourists (make sure you check behavioural therapy is covered by your insurer's policy). Also, as behaviourists are not yet nationally regulated, there is nothing to stop absolutely anyone from calling themselves an animal behaviourist. It is entirely up to you and your vet to do your research; accredited animal behaviourists have relevant University degrees and many, many hours of supervised casework. They operate under the most current and ethical behavioural techniques.
Stacy Spielman BVMS MRCVS

What To Expect
To make an accurate assessment of the problem, a full history will be taken of your pet's routines and the development of the problem. This consult may involve your family members and will involve visits to your home and possibly the place where the problem occurs. Benefits of a home visit include the fact that you and and your pet will be more relaxed in your own surroundings. This can be a practical solution as training can be demonstrated and the specific problem may be witnessed in this environment.

The appropriate behaviour-modification programme will be discussed with you. A full written report will be provided with an explanatory letter to your referring veterinary surgeon. Telephone or e-mail support will be available after your consultation, at no extra cost. However, it will be up to you, the client, to make contact. If required, additional visits/training sessions can easily be arranged to support your work.

Initial sessions last approximately 2 hours so you will have to set aside this time.

Consultation FeesInitial Behavioural Assessment Home Visit & Report apprx   £180.00
Clinic Consult (Northern Clinics)                                       £95.00
Follow-up Behavioural Assessment (1 hour)                       £45
Training Session                                                            £45
Puppy Advisory Service                                                   £70
(Many Pet Insurance policies will cover fees for behavioural referrals so check your policy.)