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Newly-registered Behaviourist applies Harper studies to help pets and owners

Posted 28 August

A newly-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist who teaches at Harper Adams is hoping to use her skills to help inspire others to work in the same field.

Charlotte Wright, also known as Charlie, is a Clinical Educator in Veterinary Nursing and a Registered Veterinary Nurse – as well as an alumna of the University’s BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare (Clinical) degree.

Having always had a particular interest in animal welfare, Charlie applied to become a provisional member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) upon her graduation in 2017, as her degree was a recognised qualification to become a Counsellor.  Following a rigorous assessment period, she has now qualified – and is keen to stress the importance of the work of Clinical Animal Behaviourists to pet owners.

She said: “Essentially, we help caregivers help their pets by making and creating change. Many behaviour challenges seen in pets have an underlying medical factor, and so CABs only see pets on referral from a Veterinary Surgeon.

“Unfortunately, the animal behaviour and training sector is currently unregulated, and this means that any Joe Bloggs can call themselves a ‘behaviourist.’ This is hugely problematic for several reasons - and risks pet caregivers receiving poor and even dangerous advice, as well as medical factors being missed.

“The are working hard to change this. 

“Pet caregivers and pet professionals can be assured that as an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist, I have undergone a comprehensive and rigorous assessment process and that I am a trusted and highly skilled professional.”

Charlie spent several years in practice following her graduation, examining animal behaviour and undertaking cases until she felt ready to undertake the assessment which would make her a full Clinical Animal Behaviourist.

She added: “When I graduated, I became a provisional member of Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC).

“This meant I was able to see behaviour cases - initially sitting in on and observing, and then eventually taking on behaviour referrals of my own.

“Over the years I have learned a lot from courses, colleagues, mentors, pets - and their humans!

“When I felt ready for assessment, I applied through APBC to be assessed against the performance criteria which sets out what a CAB must be able to do. This involved submitting evidence of three cases of the dogs I see for behaviour consultations and then undergoing three interviews to discuss cases. The assessment process was a very thorough and valuable experience.  

“I am extremely proud of my journey and feel so privileged to be a full member of APBC and listed on the ABTC register, with other like-minded professionals. I really enjoy being able to help caregivers help their pets and I especially enjoy working with veterinary professionals to make this happen.”

Charlie now works with Student Veterinary Nurses at Harper Adams – and believes a strong understanding of animal behaviour will be a key skill for lots of the University’s graduates.

She added: “As both a Veterinary Nurse and a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, I hope to inspire and support Student Veterinary Nurses here at Harper by harnessing their interest in animal behaviour.

“Animal behaviour and Veterinary Nursing are so intertwined, but for those students that have a particular interest in this area, I can better support them on their behaviour journey.

“Even if people don’t want to pursue this avenue, I will continue to equip them with knowledge of how to reduce pet stress in the veterinary practice, and where to signpost behaviour queries that all Veterinary Nurses inevitably get!

“After all, behaviour change of people and pets works best when we have a multi-disciplinary, team lead approach.

“Here at Harper, not only do we have several different options for studying animal behaviour at undergraduate level, we also now have the behaviour specific postgraduate course in Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Behaviour) - so I think there are plenty of exciting teaching opportunities!”