Selecting a Dog Professional

  • Material Provided by: The Veterinary Behavior Institute (VBI); The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB); The Shelter Playgroup Alliance (SPA)
  • 5 E-books
  • 5 PDFs
description
Finding a qualified canine professional can be a pretty confusing project. There have never been more people in the field than right now, so how do you find someone with the qualifications that you need? This module goes over all of the tiers of behavior professionals (trainers, behavior consultants, and behaviorists) and how to evaluate them. It also has handouts from professional organizations for screening dog walkers, daycares, and rescue organizations.
  • Pet Parenting School
  • Level: Foundations

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB)

We are a group of Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Graduate Degree level Animal Behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior.

AVSAB’s mission is to share accurate, science-based education and information to their membership. AVSAB also periodically publishes membership consensus position statements to share with the entire veterinary profession and to the public on common behavior controversies and practices.

AVSAB is committed to improving the quality of life of all animals and strengthening the bond between animals and their caregivers.

Shelter Playgroup Alliance

The mission of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance (SPA) is to provide animal welfare organizations with education, tailorable guidelines, and support materials for developing and implementing comprehensive enrichment programs.  These programs focus on healthy inter-dog interactions, including playgroups, that align to the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive ethical standard (LIMA). LIMA-based playgroups are devoted to providing dogs with opportunities to consent, physical and mental safety, and avoid the use of aversives.

The Veterinary Behavior Institute (VBI)

The Veterinary Behavior Institute is the brainchild of Dr. Ariel Fagen DVM, DACVB. We are committed to collecting, creating, and disseminating science-forward information on animal behavior to pet parents and professionals alike.

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