Dog Behaviour Cases seen on Veterinary Referral in Buckinghamshire
In person support for aggression, reactivity, anxiety, fearful or impulsive behaviour and handling issues
Laura Ward - Clinical Animal Behaviourist
Laura’s academic qualifications include:
Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management
BSc (Hons) in Applied Behaviour
NVQ in Veterinary Nursing with the RCVS
Achieving Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) status
Laura’s accreditations include:
Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
Full member Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) No.01184
Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Accredited Practitioner
Full member and vice chair for The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCBTS)
Full member Association Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)
Scentwork UK instructor and Judge
Areas covered:
Laura covers Buckinghamshire (Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chalfont St Giles, High Wycombe, Aylesbury) Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Watford, Hemel Hempstead) and North East Berkshire (Burnham, Farnham Royal) and Eastern Oxfordshire border.
Why is a referral important for behaviour cases?
Behaviour problems can arise both directly and indirectly as a result of concurrent or previous medical issues. Therefore it is essential that efforts have been made to ensure any medical/dietary causes are eliminated.
It is important that an open dialogue with the vet is established so that, if any issues are detected whilst observing a dog in their natural environment e.g. at home or after/during exercise, there is a point of contact from which to seek advice. In addition, psychoactive medication is often discussed and used under veterinary prescription, to assist behaviour rehabilitation.
It is an industry standard set by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) for Clinical Animal Behaviourists to work on veterinary referral.
Refer a client to Laura Ward, CCAB
You can refer a case to Laura by completing the form below. Please note that until/ unless a case is released to another Veterinary Surgeon then you, as the client’s normal Veterinary Surgeon, remain responsible for the treatment, advice and any prescription given.
A copy of the client behaviour report and pertinent notes will be sent to you post consultation for your patient records.
FAQs
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After Laura has seen a client, a copy of her written report will be shared with you.
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Laura covers Buckinghamshire (Gerrards Cross, Amersham, Chalfont St. Peter, Chalfont St Giles, High Wycombe, Aylesbury) Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Watford, Hemel Hempstead) and North East Berkshire (Burnham, Farnham Royal) and Eastern Oxfordshire border.
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At the clients home, or at a chosen walking location.
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A trainer changes behaviour by training new skills e.g. recall, heelwork etc. However, this can be superficial and not addressing the root issue. Often this training can build trust, confidence and create management strategies, so as long this is reward based and fun this is no bad thing!
However, a behaviourist considers your dog’s case through many lenses; health, neuroscience and the biology of stress, neurochemistry, ethology (species specific natural behaviour), the psychology of learning etc. A behaviourist will take all into consideration, and the plan will aim to deal with the root of the problem/s and aim for lasting behaviour change.
Laura is qualified as a trainer and behaviourist.
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Laura follows the Code of Conduct for the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), the Association Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), The Canine Behaviour and Training Society (TCBTS) and the Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). As such, she will aim to use reward based techniques and always will have your dog's welfare at the forefront. Laura does not believe in short cuts and quick fixes at the expense of your dog.
That said, Laura takes a pragmatic approach to her work. Pressure is a fact of life at times, and Laura believes that understanding how to use pressure to communicate is vital, provide boundaries and structure where it is needed, and use reward based training techniques to build trust and predictability to an otherwise unpredictable and at times confusing world.
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Individual animals, learning history, and physical and genetic influences on behaviour cause variation, so it is impossible to guarantee success. In addition, the human end of the lead can be highly variable.
It also depends on how one defines success.
However, Laura has worked with hundreds of dogs covering a variety of issues, and drawing on this experience can work in a nuanced and effective way.
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Laura’s academic qualifications include:
* Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management
* BSc (Hons) in Applied Behaviour
* NVQ in Veterinary Nursing with the RCVS
* Achieving Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) status
Laura’s Accreditations include:
* Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB)
* Full member Association Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) No.01184
* Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC) Accredited Practitioner
* Full member and vice chair for The Canine Training and Behaviour Society (TCBTS)
* Full member Association Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC)
* Scentwork UK instructor and Judge
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Many insurance companies cover for behaviour services by a Clinical Animal Behaviourist accredited with the ABTC, CCAB, APBC or TCBTS, so a behaviour consultation with Laura Ward should be covered if this is the case.
It is best to encourage clients to check their policy information or call their insurance provider before booking.