Behavior: The Good, the Bad, and the Better

GAINESVILLE--Nothing can cement or sever a relationship between pets and their owners as dramatically as the interactions between them, and the way animals behave when alone or with others. 

That's why understanding the behaviors and behavioral needs of animals is crucial to serving both clients and patients well--and to the health of the small animal clinic. NAVC Conference 2011 will offer an array of scientific sessions dedicated to this important topic for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal trainers as well.
 
The line-up begins on Saturday, January 15 with the hands-on Behavior Laboratory for Humane Handling and Management Techniques. Drs. Tiny De Keuster, Soraya Juarbe-Diaz,and Karen Overall, all board-certified in animal behavior,  and certified pet dog trainer (CPDT) Pat Miller will demonstrate and guide participants in the fundamentals of humane handling of dogs, with concepts and equipment that can be extended to cats. Participants will learn how to walk and guide a dog without force, how to calm distressed dogs, how and when to use alternative training methods (relaxation/clicker/target), and how to teach any patient to offer body parts for examination and treatment so that pets, owners, and veterinarians alike enjoy veterinary care. On Sunday Novartis sponsors a full day from experts Drs. Ilana Reisner and Debra Horwitz on behavior modification and training techniques,  behavioral pediatrics,  risks to children of dog bites, fearful dogs and aggressive dogs and cats, litter box issues, administering medications to difficult animals, and an update on behavioral research.  
 
On Monday and Tuesday Hill's and Elanco respectively sponsor half-day sessions. The Hill's program, Feline Behavior: Bad Mood or Wrong Food, features veterinary behaviorists Drs. Jacqui Neilson and Gary Landsberg  and animal nutrition experts Drs. Todd Towell and Dru Forrester discussing issues ranging from arthritis and obesity to cystitis and psychogenic alopecia. On Tuesday participants can choose from two The Next Level sessions  in the afternoon on Tough Behavior Cases: Breeds, Kids, and Aggression  given by Drs. De Keuster and Overall, or any part or all of the half-day  presentation from Elanco featuring  Drs.  Kelly Moffat, Jacqui Neilson, Lisa Radosta, and Lynne Seibert,  where discussion turns to topics such as behavior medicine in general practice, separation anxiety, and behavior modification techniques  for anxious animals.
 
The "behavior-conference-within-a-conference" finishes on Wednesday with a full-day symposium from Nestle-Purina as Drs. De Keuster, Juarbe-Diaz, and Overall give data-based presentations on topics such as the use of  behavior medication and supplements in cats, the effect of  diet in the older dog, temperament testing, rehoming,  dog-bite prevention using the Blue Dog bite prevention program (available through the AVMA), and more.
 
Without a doubt, there is something for everyone, no matter what the nature of the caseload or special interests and, with offerings every day, fitting this important topic into the mix should be easy.