Welcome!

We are glad you are here and look forward to helping you rebuild and strengthen the relationship you have with your pet!  

The Consultation Process

Our behavior appointments require extensive preparation before the patient is seen. We aspire to help as many pets and their families in the most comprehensive and efficient manner.

Due to the complex nature of many behavior problems, we require clients to complete an extensive questionnaire and submit it 3 business days prior to their appointment. This allows the doctor to focus on the treatment of your pet, instead of gathering additional history during the consultation. 

Our doctor will review your questionnaire, your pet's medical history, and videos before your appointment to ensure your consultation time is used effectively.  

Videos of problem behaviors are always helpful. Re-creation of /or triggering aggressive events is not advised. If the problem to be addressed is aggressive behavior, videotaping the pets individually in their home environment (both inside and outside) will give us valuable information. The goal is always to maintain safety and avoid creating aggressive events.

Once all the material is collected, it will be evaluated prior to your appointment.

Please note:

Behavior appointments are currently being conducted using a hybrid telemedicine and in-person initial appointments as of April 1, 2021.

The Initial Consultation/Assessment

Ideally all of the people who are involved with the patient should be present to discuss the problems they are having with the pet. The goal is to work as a team to determine a treatment plan that everyone can agree upon and implement. 

New consultations are split into two separate appointments for your protection and ours.

The first session will be a telemedicine appointment via Zoom. Dr. Colleen Koch will review your pet's medical and behavioral  problems, and discuss possible treatment options (management, safety and relationship building). This session generally takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes and will set the foundation for the second in-person session.

After the initial session is complete, Dr. C. Koch will provide you with a written assessment and the steps needed to prepare for the second session.

The second session will be conducted in person. This session focuses on behavior modification, helpful tools, and use of medications (if needed).  The second session takes anywhere from 30- 60 minutes. 

Following the second session, Dr. C. Koch will provide you and your veterinarian with the completed treatment plan.

Sessions should be scheduled with a least a week apart to give clients time to prepare for the second session.

In-Person Re-assessment Appointments

Re-assessments allow the veterinary behaviorist to evaluate your pet's response to behavior modification and any medications if they have been prescribed and adjust the treatment plan accordingly for continued progress.

During re-assessments, expectations and goals are reviewed and necessary changes are made.
After the appointment, a copy of the recommended adjustments to the treatment plan will be provided. 

The appointments are generally 30-60 minutes long.

In person re-assessments are necessary every 6 months until you are satisfied with your pet's behavior. 

Telehealth re-assessments will be available for those patients that have been seen in person within the last 12 months. 

Phone re-assessments are scheduled at least every 2 months in between in-person appointments- these assure optimum results. 

Phone Re-assessment Appointments

This option is only available to clients with patients that have been re-assessed within the last 6 months.

They are designed to provide additional support to current clients in between their pet’s re-assessments.

Phone re-assessments are utilized to make minor medication adjustments or alterations to the behavior modification plan.

To ensure continued progress, phone re-assessments are recommended at least every other month in between in- person consultations. 

The appointment is scheduled in 15-minute increments.

After the appointment a brief summary of the recommended adjustments to the treatment plan will be emailed to you.

If you ready to schedule a behavior appointment click here.

Click these links to learn more:

Behavior FAQ's

Schedule A Behavior Appointment

Behavior Forms

Behavior Service Policies

Behavior Consult Preparation Instructions and Checklist