Services & Facilities
Behaviour Consultations
Behaviour consultations are provided to clients as a way to help owners deal with the behaviour problems in their pets.
It is recommended that a complete physical exam +/- bloodwork be done before the consultation to rule out any underlying medical problem(s). A copy of the medical file is appreciated. If it is possible to safely obtain video of the behaviour, it can significantly help with the diagnosis and treatment.
The appointments can be made by the owners or the referring veterinarian. Prior to the appointment, a consult form is filled out by the owner.
- Canine Consultation Form (pdf File)
- Feline Consultation Form (pdf File)
- If a form is required for another species, please contact the Foothills Animal Hospital directly.
Prior to the appointment, Dr Bourque will review the consult form. During the consultation, the pet will be observed and pertinent information from the consult form will be clarified. A diagnosis will be made and specific behaviour modification exercises will be reviewed. Handouts are provided to aid the owners at home. All exercises can be fine tuned to fit into your daily life. The exercises are also based on gentle methods so as to help repair the human-animal bond.
Following the appointment, a fax will be sent to your regular veterinarian briefly outlining the appointment and behaviour modification exercises. As well, a letter reviewing all the recommendations will be sent out within two weeks of the appointment. Review sessions are set up on an as needed basis.
Who can truly be called an animal behaviourist?
There are two levels of certification – a board-certified veterinary behaviourist and an Associate Applied Animal Behaviourist.
An Associate Applied Animal Behaviourist has received a Master’s degree or Ph. D. in behavioural science from an accredited college or university. A research based thesis also has to be defended.
A board-certified veterinary behaviourist is a veterinarian who has gone on to do a residency program in animal behaviour. During this residency, the veterinarian must see approximately 400 cases, do research and write it for publication in an approved journal and sit to write the board exam at the end of the residency program. Dr. Bourque is currently organizing a non-conforming residency so she can eventually become board-certified.