What is the Animal Behavior
Network (ABN)?
ABN is a network of families,
pet professionals, and
veterinary practices working
together
to improve relationships
between people and pets.
What does the Animal Behavior Network (ABN) offer?
-
Pet Behavior
ECourses for
families, pet professionals,
and veterinary practices
-
Animal Behavior Network
Education
Library
of topics, slide shows and
videos
-
Weekly Positive Pet
Parenting
ECourses
with
proven, gentle training
methods
-
Pet Behavior History Analysis
and Veterinary Behavior Case
Supervision
-
Veterinary Behavior
Consultant and Veterinary
Behavior Technicians
-
Curriculum by a Credentialed
Teacher with an MS in
Psychology.
What is a Pet Behavior History Analysis (PBHA)?
The Pet Behavior History Analysis gives the family, veterinarian and pet professional a pet profile that describes the probable causes of unwanted behaviors and what is needed
to begin or restore positive, loving, problem-free relationships between families and pets.
A Veterinary Behavior Consultant
(VBC) works with the client and veterinarian on a behavior treatment plan.
The pet's
veterinarian
retains all medical services
and the
prescription of
behavior medications as
indicated.
The
Veterinary Behavior Consultant
creates and supervises the
pet
behavior education and modification
plan to
support the success of the pet,
the client and the attending
DVM.
What is Veterinary Behavior Case Supervision (VBCS)?
After the Analysis is
complete, the
client may choose additional
education and coaching on how to
proceed with the VBC recommended
education and behavior plan from
the Veterinary Behavior
Technician assigned to the
attending DVM.
How do I choose a qualified Veterinary Behavior Consultant (VBC)?
To identify
probable causes on unwanted
behaviors and to be able to
understand behavior-related
concerns
requires a veterinarian
with special
education and experience in the
behavior science, neurology and
psychopharmacology. Trainers
work with command response -
obedience training. Behaviorists
work with emotional response -
behavior training.
What are possible Consultant credentials? (can be combined)
1)
A Veterinarian becomes "Board
Certified" in Animal Behavior by
the American Veterinary Medical
Association
(AVMA)
2) A "Certified Applied
Animal Behaviorist" is a member
of the International Animal
Behavior Society.
3) A Ph.D. degree in
Animal Behavior (if no medical
or pharmacology issues in the
degree related to pet behavior -
as opposed to other species
research)
4) A Doctorate in
Veterinary Medicine with a
special interest in animal
behavior
5) Certified Veterinary
Technician with a special
interest in animal behavior
6) Certified Dog or
Animal Trainer (Various
certifying bodies and levels of
certifications)
7) Authors of pet
related books or articles
8)
Experienced pet owners ( =
lowest likelihood of success)
What are the possible formats for Consultations? (in order of effectiveness)
1)
In-Home consult (Trainer
or Behaviorist comes to your
home)
2) Office visit at the
location of the behaviorist or
veterinarian
(may be inconvenient)
3)
Pet Behavior History
Analysis (online
history and analysis by
phone
(convenient)
What
are considerations when choosing
a behavior consultant or
trainer?
1)
Academic credentials (see
above)
2) Special training and
experience with the species
of your pet. (Dog, Cat, Bird)
3)
Special training in the
specific behavior concerns
(e.g. aggression, phobias, etc.)
4) Number of years
of successful
experiences
using gentle methods
(references)
5) Success rate in the
past for your specific
behavioral concern
(gentle methods)
6) Testimonials and
recommendations by previous
clients
7) Geographic proximity
Why are medical work-ups recommended with behavioral treatment plans?
A change in behavior can occur
with illness or discomfort.
Medical causes must be
identified or ruled out before
proceeding with behavior
modification efforts or
medications.
Resolving
medical issues speeds
up management of behavior
issues.
It is also routine to collect a
current "minimum data base" of
information before starting
behavior medication, if
indicated from a veterinary exam
to rule
out possible unknown minor,
chronic physical discomfort that
may be influencing the threshold
of any behavior (e.g. causing
frustration), and insure that
all the internal organs are
functioning normally before
starting medication, and to gain
baseline values for this animal
to compare for future use.
What is the role of the attending veterinarian (ADVM)?
The local attending veterinarian
retains the primary
doctor-client-pet
relationship.
Any medical tests or
prescriptions
recommended by the Veterinary
Behavior Consultant are
discussed with the ADVM who
makes all
final decisions related to the
pet's
medical care.
The behaviorist is acting as a
consultant to the veterinarian,
and with the veterinarians
permission may continue behavior
education and modification
consultations with the client.
What about cost?
You are choosing to invest in a
better relationship with your
pet. The
return on your time and any
costs are intended to
produce a lifetime of increased
joy with your pet.
Specific factors that influence
your total cost investment
include:
-
Medical tests needed
-
Medication indicated
-
Need for basic obedience
training
-
Need for in-home private
training
-
Complexity of case, and
effectiveness of client
compliance
Based on Pet Behavior History Analysis, the family will be given an cost estimate.
Does ABN offer refunds for unsatisfactory service or outcomes?
Any request for a refund will be
reviewed and honored based on
the ABN Client Satisfaction
Guarantee below. Note this is a
guarantee of satisfactory
SERVICE and not a guarantee of
positive outcomes. Your
success is largely dependent on
the level of family
participation.
What is the ABN Client Satisfaction Guarantee?
If a client is not satisfied
with the SERVICE provided by
Animal Behavior Network, he or
she may complete a form
describing the circumstances,
and with reasonable cause,
receive a refund of any money
processed within the preceding
30 days.
After 30 days no refunds are
available.
There is no guarantee of behavioral improvement, since there are many factors that influence success rate.
The client is purchasing either printed behavior topics, and professional time for analysis, opinion, recommendations, and follow-up. ABN provides services solely to clients with a client's agreement to hold the behaviorist, veterinarian, and all related parties harmless for any negative outcome.
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