Behaviour consultation — veterinary referral

Supporting clients whose veterinary team has identified a behaviour concern

Emily works directly alongside veterinary teams to support dogs and cats presenting with fear, anxiety, compulsive behaviours, noise phobia, and more. Referrals are collaborative — Emily provides written reports and remains available for case discussion throughout.

Emily accepts referrals for complex behaviour cases only — she does not offer basic obedience or manners training.

Make a referral About Emily

Emily holds multiple well-respected certifications:

— Academy for Dog Trainers graduate (CTC) — Certified Dog Behaviour Consultant — IAABC (CDBC) — Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant — IAABC (CCBC) — Certified in Shelter Dog Behaviour — IAABC (CSB-D) — Fear Free Shelter Certified — Author of three books on canine behaviour

Emily bridges the gap between an animal's behaviour and the underlying medical picture — helping to pinpoint what is really driving the problem, and building a plan that the whole team can work from.

Ideal for dogs and cats whose anxiety, reactivity, or compulsive behaviours are affecting their veterinary care or quality of life.

Areas of expertise

Conditions Emily consults on

Emily accepts referrals for a wide range of behaviour presentations in both dogs and cats. Her approach is evidence-based, fear-free, and grounded in over a decade of hands-on clinical and shelter experience.

Fear & Anxiety

Generalised anxiety, situational fear, veterinary visit anxiety, separation-related distress, and fear of people or other animals in both dogs and cats.

Noise Phobia & Sound Sensitivity

Fireworks, thunderstorms, everyday environmental sounds. Emily literally wrote the book on this — Understanding Your Sound-Sensitive Dog.

Compulsive Behaviours

Spinning, shadow or light chasing, tail chasing, acral lick dermatitis, pacing, and other repetitive behaviours that are often mismanaged or misunderstood.

Reactivity & Aggression

Leash reactivity, barrier frustration, inter-dog conflict, human-directed aggression, and predatory behaviour. Full history-taking and functional assessment included.

Feline Behaviour

Inappropriate elimination, inter-cat conflict, fear-based aggression, petting-induced aggression, overgrooming, stress-related illness, and handling challenges.

Complex & Treatment-Resistant

Animals who haven't responded to previous intervention, or where decisions about placement, quality of life, or euthanasia are on the horizon.

Clinical experience

Extensive collaboration experience, bridging the overlap between medical and behaviour

Emily has worked on countless cases with veterinary partners throughout her career. She oversaw incoming cases including thousands of medical cases — ongoing and emergent — flagging these cases and working directly with veterinarians to achieve the best possible outcomes.

She understands the clinical picture, communicates in language that works for veterinary teams, and knows where behaviour ends and medicine begins.

"Emily's behaviour plans for compulsive disorders are some of the best I have seen. They have genuinely influenced how I approach these cases with my own clients."

Veterinary Behaviourist

"Working with Emily on this case has already taught me so much. I presented it to the whole clinic — and it prompted us to review other cases we hadn't fully reconsidered from a pain management and neurology perspective."

Veterinarian, Small Animal Practice

Referral reports

Thorough, clinically useful written reports

Every referral case results in a formal written behaviour report sent directly to the referring veterinarian — honest, practical, and written in plain language for the clinical team.

✓Full behavioural history and presenting complaint summary

✓Assessment of what is driving the behaviour — pain, genetics, environment, learning history, or a combination

✓Signs of pain assessment — onset, context, presentation, and behavioural indicators

✓Bite history analysis and risk assessment where relevant

✓Areas of clinical concern for the veterinary team

✓Points to consider for a medication plan — behavioural observations to support veterinary prescribing decisions

✓Likely prognosis with and without intervention

✓Detailed behaviour modification plan with implementation guidance

✓A Behaviour Monitoring Record for the owner to track changes over time

✓Environmental management recommendations and follow-up next steps

The referral process

Simple, professional, collaborative

Submit the referral

Send Emily the case details via the contact page — the presenting behaviour, relevant medical history, any current medications, and the client's goals.

Emily meets with the client

Fee: $549 CAD, paid directly by the client at the time of booking. No cost to the referring clinic.

Emily meets with the client virtually, taking a full case history, reviewing current protocols, and providing initial plans, recommendations, and prognosis.

Written report to your clinic

A comprehensive written behaviour report is sent to the referring veterinarian within 5 business days of the consultation.

Optional ongoing case support

For complex or long-term cases, Emily can provide follow-up consultations and regular progress notes back to the referring clinic.

Ready to refer a patient?

Send Emily the case details via the contact page. She'll review within 2 business days.

Go to contact page