Click Here for Our Literature on Selecting a Behavior Consultant
Use the map and search fields above to find an AVSAB member veterinarian, veterinary behaviorist, or PhD behaviorist who accepts animal behavior cases in your area.
You can zoom in and out of the map using the controls on the left. Clicking on any marker on the map will bring up a brief summary of that consultant, and clicking on their name will take you to a detailed description.
If you’re looking for a consultant near you, we recommend entering your zip code in the search box labeled “Search by State/Province, City or Zip”. This will return a list of our behavior consultants in order of their distance from the location you entered.
If you are searching from a city with a common name (i.e. Paris), you can enter the state as well to make sure the correct results are returned. For example, if you enter “Paris” it will return results from Paris France. If you enter “Paris Ohio” it will give you results from the town of Paris that’s located in Ohio.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a membership-only organization of veterinarians and persons holding a PhD in animal behavior or a related field. It does not confer upon its members any qualifications or presuppose a level of expertise in the field of animal behavior. Behavior consultants are members of AVSAB listed as a courtesy to help pet owners find professionals interested in dealing with behavior problems.
Explanation of Credentials
DVM or VMD (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Medical Doctor) Veterinarians are qualified to diagnose and treat medical and behavioral problems in animals. They are the only professionals who can prescribe medications to treat such problems. Some veterinarians have a special interest in behavior and limit their practices to behavior medicine.
DACVB (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists) These veterinarians are board-certified specialists with extensive post-graduate training in animal behavior. DACVBs are qualified to diagnose and treat medical problems in animals, including prescribing medications and behavior modification plans to treat these conditions.
PhD (Individuals who have completed a PhD degree in animal behavior or a related field) This degree is research and theory related, and requires contributions to the animal behavior literature. These consultants cannot prescribe medications but often work closely with a veterinarian who can.
CAAB (Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist) These individuals have completed a graduate degree in animal behavior or a related field and have research experience as well as clinical experience working with animals. CAABs are qualified to evaluate and manage behavioral problems in animals, but cannot prescribe medications. They typically work closely with a veterinarian who can.
Note: In order for a veterinarian to prescribe medication, a valid doctor-patient relationship with the animal is required. This requires a current examination (within the past year) of the patient, and direct involvement in the treatment plan. This evaluation should include the report and suggestions from other professionals who have evaluated the pet (CAABs, PhDs, trainers, or other veterinarians).
**The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a membership-only organization of veterinarians and persons holding a PhD in animal behavior or a related field. It does not confer upon its members any qualifications or presuppose a level of expertise in the field of animal behavior. Behavior consultants are members of AVSAB listed as a courtesy to help pet owners find professionals interested in dealing with behavior problems.
