AVSAB Executive Board
We welcome you to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and hope you will consider joining our growing community of Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and PhD’s.
Introducing AVSAB’s Executive Board
Dr. Steven Edwards
AVSAB President
Dr. Karen Becker
AVSAB President-Elect
Dr. Karen Becker has enjoyed practicing Small Animal Veterinary Medicine since graduating in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Becker’s main interests in Clinical Behavioral Medicine, including Canine and Feline Fear-Related Aggression,
Generalized Anxiety, and Noise Phobia, blossomed after attending a residency in Small Animal Behavior at the University of Pennsylvania. She now offers comprehensive behavioral consults for dogs and cats who struggle with a variety of behavior issues. She is committed to promoting behavioral wellness in companion animals and to protecting the human- animal bond through education on canine and feline communication, instituting proper socialization, and through prevention and treatment of behavioral issues, or medical issues which may contribute to
behavior problems. She is Fear Free Certified, and is a strong advocate for behavioral modifications which incorporate solely positive reinforcement training techniques. Licensed in PA and NJ, Dr. Becker is a long standing member of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, as well as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, and the Pet Professional Guild. In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets, gardening, and baking.
View Karen’s member profile
Brittany Atkinson, CVT
AVSAB Veterinary Technician Representative
Prior to becoming a veterinary technician, Brittany earned a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Biology from Northern Arizona University. During her undergraduate years, she interned at Chimp Haven in Shreveport, Louisiana, working with chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research. This work required her to quickly learn how to read chimpanzee body language, decipher the meaning of different vocalizations, and in turn reciprocate communication effectively. Brittany started her veterinary career in Sierra Vista, AZ in 2010. Since then, she has completed an associate’s degree in veterinary technology and is now a Certified Veterinary Technician and is the Lead Technician at East Maryland Animal Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.
She spends much of her time training the staff in low stress handling techniques and offering behavior consulting services to clients. Brittany’s passion for behavior was catalyzed in 2011 with the adoption of her dog Gru. Gru came to Brittany at twelve weeks old with both of his left legs broken after having been attacked on multiple occasions by another dog. The emotional scars of those traumas, in addition to his physical inability to be well-socialized as a puppy left Gru lacking in the important life skills he would need to confidently live in the world around him. When it became obvious that he needed more than just basic obedience training and exposure to other people, animals, and environments, Brittany sought the help of Dr. Gail Stevenson at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson who had a special interest in behavioral medicine. Dr. Stevenson continued to mentor Brittany long after Gru ceased to be her patient, and encouraged her to join the SVBT and begin attending their conferences. After only 3 years of attendance, Brittany was asked to join the planning committee for the conference (now CABC); eventually finding her way to the sponsorship subcommittee which she has chaired for the last 6 years. Brittany was elected the President of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians in 2023 and worked tirelessly alongside Dr. Steven Edwards to accomplish the merge between the SVBT and AVSAB.
Dr. Serena Bloom
AVSAB Recording Secretary
Dr. Serena Bloom is a general practitioner veterinarian in the Tampa Bay area with a special interest in behavior. She graduated from the University of Florida undergraduate program with dual degrees in Zoology and Art History, along with a minor in International Studies. She had a primary focus on wildlife research and conservation, and completed graduate level course work in Animal Behavior. During her undergraduate years she assisted with behavioral research projects including male parental behavior of flagfish, gobyfish dimorphism related to male breeding tactics, and alligator home range studies. After undergraduate, she pivoted towards the more traditional Veterinary path, also through the University of Florida. She is Fear Free Credentialed Level 2 and regularly attends behaviorally focused continuing education. Over the years working with cats and dogs, she has come to have a great appreciation for the behaviors of our domesticated species, as well as the dynamic interactions with their human guardians. She has a passion for anything she can do to help support that bond and allow these animals to live more comfortably in the confines of the human world.
Dr. Juanita Ashton
AVSAB Treasurer
Dr. Juanita Ashton was born and raised in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. She graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in PEI, Canada in 2003 after receiving a Biology degree from the University College of Cape Breton.
She was immediately taken with the behavioral studies at the AVC under the direction of Dr. Norma Guy at UPEI. And after graduation, moved to Elmsdale, NS where she currently focuses on companion animal medicine, specifically, on the behavior of dogs and cats.
In 2016, Dr. Ashton received her certification in canine behavior from the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
Dr. Ashton shares her life with her husband and four children.
Shelby Helmerich, EdS, MS, LVT, RLAT, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CRCST, Elite FFCVP
AVSAB Member-At-Large
Dr. Kristin Gablehouse
AVSAB Member-At-Large
In 2015, Kristin sustained a mild traumatic brain injury and had to give up veterinary medicine. Noise and light sensitivity, reactivity, and anxiety suddenly made her world very small but helped her gain a unique insight into her patient’s experiences. Beyond the sensory sensitivity; cognitive deficits, inability to focus, and memory problems, prevented her from returning to work for 4 years. When she returned, she understood that it doesn’t matter how inappropriate fear seems to other people. It is real, and it cannot simply be turned off. This completely changed the way she approached her patients.
Today, Kristin integrates a behavior focus into general practice and enjoys mentoring new veterinary graduates. She holds a certificate in Applied Animal Behavior, from the University of Washington. She has also completed the NAVC Applied Behavioral Medicine course, as well as Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animals Professional Course, focused on learning theory and applied behavior analysis, as well as over 100 hours of additional behavior continuing education. She is also Level III Fear Free Certified and hopes to make every visit as stress-free as possible.
Outside of work, Dr. Gablehouse runs trail ultramarathons from 50k to 100 miles. She enjoys traveling, cycling, and adventures in the mountains with her husband and Kili, their Mini Aussie.
Dr. Ashley Elzerman
AVSAB Past President
Dr. Ashley Elzerman graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009 after receiving a BS in Biology from Smith College and a Master’s degree in Wildlife Toxicology from Clemson University.
Dr. Elzerman currently works at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services after 7 years in general practice medicine in Midland, Michigan. Dr. Elzerman focuses on helping clients understand more about their companions’ body language and communication in order to enhance their relationship and improve problem behaviors while also advocating for low stress handling and compassionate care. She has completed the Sophia Yin Low Stress Handling Certification Silver Course, the Fear Free Certificate Program and is recognized as a Fear Free Professional.
Dr. Elzerman shares her life with her husband, cat “Applesauce” and dog “Dharma” the rescue boxer.