The Behaviour Support Series
Why Join?
When a client is struggling with their pet’s behaviour, their trusted veterinary team is often the first place they turn to.
But not every behavioural concern needs a full behaviour consultation. The problem may be relatively mild, the owner may not yet feel ready to see a behaviourist, or there may be financial, time or insurance constraints. Some owners may also feel uncomfortable or worried about the stigma of seeking help for their pet’s behaviour.
This is where the St Claws Behaviour Support Series can help.
Having a better understanding of the motivation and emotions behind behavioural problems equips you to support owners and their pets at the point when they need you most. It can help you provide appropriate first-line advice, identify when a problem is likely to be behavioural, consider the interplay between physical and behavioural health, and recognise when a case needs more specialist support.
The aim is to help you bridge the gap between “I’m not sure what to advise” and “this needs a behaviour referral.” If for example a cat has recurring bladder challenges - it could be something behavioural.
Right now, you may be unsure about:
Whether the problem a client presents with is truly behavioural
What advice is appropriate to give — behavioural understanding and best practice continue to evolve
What might be driving the behaviour — fear, frustration, pain, species-typical behaviour or something else
Whether there could be an underlying physical health contribution
Where to find reputable information and resources to signpost clients to — there is a lot of advice out there, and it can be difficult to know what is reliable
With the Behaviour Support Series, you’ll feel more confident to:
Understand the differentials for behavioural problems
Recognise when physical and behavioural health may be interconnected
Provide practical, appropriate first-line support
Give clients clear guidance
Signpost clients towards reliable information and resources
Recognise when a case would benefit from more detailed behavioural support or referral
What’s included?
Monthly live Behaviour Q&A
Join a monthly live Q&A covering a range of behaviour topics. Sessions are recorded, so you can watch them at a time that works for you.
You can also request topics that would be particularly useful to you or your practice.
First-line behaviour support
Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm, you can contact me by phone for first-line behaviour advice relating to your cases.
If you contact me at the weekend, I’ll get back to you on Monday.
Clinical history review
I can review the client’s clinical history to help you consider the behavioural picture alongside the patient’s physical health and clinical history.
Client resources
You’ll have access to practical handouts that you can provide to clients, allowing them to read through and digest information at home.
This can be particularly helpful when a client is upset during a consultation and may struggle to retain everything that has been discussed.
How does it work?
The Behaviour Support Series is available as a monthly subscription of £150 per month.
You can cancel with one month’s notice.
Alternatively, you can sign up for a full year and receive 2 months free.
The service is capped at 5 hours of support per month.
Is this service right for you and your practice?
This is for you if:
Clients regularly turn to you for support with behavioural challenges and you would like to feel more confident helping them
You have veterinary nurses or technicians providing behaviour advice and would like to support them in developing their knowledge and confidence
You want to improve your understanding of the relationship between behavioural and physical health
You want to be able to provide practical steps for clients in the here and now
You want to help prevent behavioural problems from escalating
You want to strengthen the relationship and trust you have with your clients
Behavioural problems can have a significant impact on both pets and their owners and, in some cases, can contribute to decisions around relinquishment or euthanasia. Early, appropriate support can make a real difference.
This service is not for you if…
You are looking for medication recommendations or prescribing advice.
As I am not a veterinary surgeon, prescribing medication is outside my remit. I can, however, provide relevant papers and signpost you towards appropriate veterinary colleagues where medication may need to be considered.
What if a case needs more detailed behavioural support?
Absolutely.
If a case would benefit from a full behaviour consultation, your client can be referred to me through the usual client referral pathway.
The Behaviour Support Series is designed to give you first-line support and guidance, while ensuring that you know when a case needs to progress to more detailed behavioural assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Q&A sessions recorded?
Yes. All live Q&A sessions are recorded so you can watch them later.
Can I request topics?
Yes. You can suggest topics that would be particularly useful to you or your practice.
Can other members of my practice contact you?
Yes. The service can support your wider veterinary team, including veterinary nurses and technicians.
How much support is included?
The service is capped at 5 hours per month.
What happens if a case needs more detailed behavioural support?
Your client can be referred to me for a full behaviour consultation through the usual client referral pathway.