Appointments

How Our Services Work

If you’re reading this, you’re likely living with a challenging animal and all that can entail: frustration, fear, embarrassment, limitations on your activities and social life, even a sense of being trapped. Our goal is to welcome you to hope and change, to invite you into a safe support network designed to help you and your animal create a new life together.

Veterinary Behavior Consultations (New Patients):

Initial consults are scheduled in person at our Castle Pines location.

Appointment Day Checklist:

Behavior Medications: Give any prescribed behavior medications as directed by your primary vet.
Walking Tools and Muzzles: Bring walking tools or muzzles you currently use or have used in the past.
Medication Bottles: Bring any medication bottles your pet is currently taking.
Favorite Toys: Bring familiar toys to help your pet feel at ease.
Food and Treats: Bring some of your pet’s regular food and favorite treats.
Small Dogs in Carriers: Make sure they wear a leash attached to their collar or harness.

Medical Assessment:

It is important to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to the behavioral issues. Before your Initial Consult, your Behavior Vet will review all submitted medical records. They will speak with you about your pet’s health and assess if your pet can tolerate a physical exam with minimal fear and stress. If so, our Behavior Vet will do a physical exam and perform any recommended diagnostics, such as blood work.

Choosing Treatment:

After the Medical Assessment, your Behavior Vet will make a diagnosis and outline treatment options. These may include medications, supplements, and diet changes, as well as additional diagnostics with your regular vet or a specialist to further rule out medical issues. Every patient and family is different. Your Behavior Vet will help guide you to the best treatment options for your family.

After Your Appointment:

You will receive a detailed Treatment Plan.  If you don’t already work with a trainer that we know is capable of working with advanced behavior issues, your Behavior Vet will recommend  you work with one of our Behavior Consultants.

Telemedicine Progress Exams:

Virtual progress exams typically occur 2-6 weeks after the Initial Consult. You will check in with your Behavior Vet to adjust your behavior plan. Future Progress Exam frequency depends on patient response to treatment. We require to see you in person once a year in order to continue to prescribe medications.

In Person Progress Exams:

In person progress exams typically occur once a year after the Initial Consult. You will check in with your Behavior Vet to adjust your behavior plan. We require to see you in person once a year in order to continue to prescribe medications.

Graduation:

When you feel you have reached your goals and no longer require our assistance, we will transfer your care back to your primary veterinarian for all future follow-ups.

Why should I work with a Behavior Vet?

  • ​Our Behavior Vets have >10 years of higher education, including a degree in veterinary medicine. We are the only animal behavior specialists that require licenses to practice in this field.
  • When you book with Behavior Vets, there is a whole team of people rooting for your success. You’ll work closely with our admin staff, your Behavior Vet, and your Behavior Consultant/Trainer. You’ll never have to feel alone while you are improving your pet’s behaviors.
  • When you’re seeing a Behavior Vet, you are getting a full circle of care that you cannot get anywhere else. Your Behavior Vet will be integrating your pet’s medical and behavioral needs at every step, just like if you saw a primary care doctor and a psychiatrist yourself.

Why should I work with a Behavior Consultant?

  • ​Our team is highly qualified, certified behavior consultants is experienced in working with complex behavioral cases, including those that have a medical component
  • We are trained to recognize signs of possible physical complications that may be affecting behavior and work closely with our Behavior Vets to provide patients with a full circle of care
  • We are held to high ethical and professional standards and participate in ongoing continuing education, ensuring that we are using the most modern and humane training methods
  • They provide science based and ethical solutions rather than “results at any cost”