Behavioral Services
Please note: I am a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM). I am NOT a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (DVM-DACVB), nor an animal behaviorist (CAAB). I strongly recommend referral to such specialists in situations where animals are very young, or are a danger to people or other animals. A full directory of board-certified veterinary behaviorists can be found on the website of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. For more information on applied animal behaviorists, please visit the website of the Animal Behavior Society.
That said, just as your regular veterinarian can perform a spay or a neuter without being board-certified in in surgery, a regular veterinarian is also able to address mild to moderate behavioral problems without board certification. I do so the way I would any other medical problem: thorough history-taking, physical examination, diagnostic testing, diagnosis, and multimodal treatment.
I have a long interest in animal behavior starting as a teenager working in a municipal animal shelter. Behavioral problems—from destructive behaviors to house soiling to what they used to call separation anxiety—remain the number one reason pets are surrendered to animal shelters. As I went on to work with other groups, I saw firsthand the difference that behavioral interventions could make in the lives of animals.
Today, I work with local animal rescues to create custom behavioral plans for dogs and cats experiencing fear, stress, and anxiety as they await their forever homes. In my time as a general practitioner, I have loved working with clients who felt at the end of their rope when it came to their anxious, fearful dogs and cats. Together, we started with the problem—ruined furniture and rugs, neighbors complaining about barking, pets developing aggression toward each other—and worked backward to find the cause, whether physical, emotional, or both. Using my experience in the rescue setting, combined with continuing education, we developed individual behavioral treatment plans to address the root of the issue and finally get results for these animals and the clients who had given up hope.
These cases were so rewarding I decided to start Nearfield Veterinary to provide NYC pet owners with a better, low-stress option when it comes to making sure their pets get the best years possible (not just the most years).
A Collaborative, Multi-Modal Approach
I see the veterinary-client-patient relationship not as me telling you what to do, but us figuring out what to do, together, for the animal. My approach is comprehensive, involving a careful assessment of underlying disease and undiagnosed pain that can contribute to behavioral problems. I strongly recommend all clients in need of behavioral services for their dog solicit the advice of a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA). A relationship with a brick-and-mortar veterinary clinic is also recommended for imaging and urgent needs.
Using our combined expertise, we develop a plan that:
Reduces pain and emotional distress for your pet
Provides actionable steps for you reshape the behavior through structure, training, and consistency
Addresses medical problems contributing to behavior, like skin allergies, abdominal pain, urinary issues, and more
Incorporates supplements, diet change, medications, and other products when appropriate
Most importantly, I aim to make plans that are sustainable and realistic for you. For most of us, life is busy and finances could always be better. I believe that the best plan is the one you can adhere to. During your appointment, we will discuss the full range of treatment options to decide what’s right for you and your pet.