Trustworthy. | Science-based. | Accessible. | Supportive.
So every pet can live their best life.
Build Better Bonds
Bridging the gap between pet parenting and applied veterinary behavior
Our mission is to increase pet parent and veterinary community access to science-directed, fun and practical veterinary behavior knowledge, so every pet can live their best life. We support pets, pet parents and practitioners along the spectrum of veterinary behavioral care from preventative behavioral health to the most difficult challenges we face with pet behavior problems.
01
Trustworthy
Created and designed by one of the largest veterinary behavior clinics in the country, with the oversight of a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, you can trust that the info provided is science-based and at the top of the field
02
Centralized
There is information all over the internet - some valuable and some, well, not. We have curated the best of the best into our platform so you don't have to go digging into the depths of the webiverse.
03
Digestible
From mini-modules to self-paced courses to live classes to private consultations, access information that is best suited to you,, with the time you have at the pace that suits you.
04
Relevant
As clinicians with real pet parents and patients walking in our door, we understand what is happening in people's homes and the barriers to behaviorally healthy pet parenthood in every day life. Learn something that could actually make a difference in your life.
Join us today
Join us today
Join us today
Join us today
Join us today
Join us today
Whether you have a new companion, have struggled with a behavior problem for years or are part of a professional care team trying to support a family in need, our courses and memberships give you access to the ongoing support you need to do right by your four-legged friends.
Build better bonds.
So your pet can live their best life.
Build better bonds.
So your pet can live their best life.
Superheroes and rockstars
Our Team
Ariel Fagen, DVM, DACVB
(she/her)
Dr. Fagen is owner and Medical Director of The Veterinary Behavior Center, one of the largest clinics in her industry in the country. She has been practicing this specialty medicine exclusively for 12 years and treated thousands of cases. She has lectured nationally and internationally, published in journals and continues to make veterinary behavioral health her life's work.
Bridgette Chesne, PST-CTP
(she/her)
Bridgette was employed at the renouned Humane Society of Boulder Valley for almost 25 years, functioning as the Director of Animal Behavior and Sheltering as the pinnacle of her career there. Afterwards, she became the Clinic Manager at The Veterinary Behavior Center, where she supports a different at risk animal population. She is a Certified Training Partner in Predation Substitute Training and has a well-earned understanding of the realities of pet parenting, sheltering and quality of life.
Jessica Char, CDBC, CPDT-KA, CSAT
(she/her)
INSTRUCTOR
Jessica is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, Certified Pet Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed, and a Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer. She runs her own cat training business called Feline Engineering, is a Behavior Therapy Technician at The Veterinary Behavior Center and runs classes for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Jess has been in the industry for over 8 years and has developed a high skill set in coaching clients and creating plans.
Trudy Fagen, LMHC, ACMT-BC
(she/her)
Trudy is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and nationally board certified music therapist of advanced standing. She is certified in pet loss counseling and grief support in humans. Over her 4 decade career, Trudy has worked in hospitals, middle schools, universities and mental health centers. She currently has a private practice and co-runs mental health counseling groups for families who have been challenged by pediatric oncology as well as families who have survived the loss of a parent.
Rachel Hoelzer, RVT
(she/her)
Rachel is a veterinary nurse and the inventory coordinator at The Veterinary Behavior Center. In her roll there she conducts low stress handling, assists the doctors in their appointments, and conducts her own medication management and nursing services appointments. She has been in the veterinary world for 9 years and been working with animals since 2009. Rachel contributes to the mini-modules in our Professional Education track.
Emily Zibell, RVT
(she/her)
Veterinary nurse, INSTRUCTOR
Emily is a veterinary nurse and the practice management software coordinator at The Veterinary Behavior Center. In her roll there she conducts low stress handling, assists the doctors in their appointments, and conducts her own medication management and nursing services appointments. Emily joined the veterinary industry in 2017 and has pursued her passion for pet parent education since. Emily contributes to the mini-modules in our Professional Education Track.
Jessica Perry Hekman, DVM, PhD
(she/her)
Jessica Perry Hekman, DVM, PhD, is a behavioral geneticist. She is one of the founders of the Functional Dog Collaborative, a non-profit which seeks to change the conversation around dog breeding in the dog loving community. She also teaches behavioral biology at the Virginia Tech online Masters program for Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare, works with Hecht Lab at Harvard, and offers webinars online and consults with breeders about genetic testing and breeding choices. Perry lives in Raymond, NH with her husband and two dogs. More about Dr. Hekman.
Danielle Winkelman, KPA-CTP, ACDBC
(she/her)
Danielle racks up a list of top-level certifications in the dog training and veterinary handling world. She is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, one of the most well-respected dog training certifications in the country. She has also earned her credentials as an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is a Fear Free Certified Professional, has been employed by two veterinary behaviorists and has founded her own dog rescue organization.
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