So, What Is a Consultation?
(And What Is It Not?)
A consultation is a structured, collaborative conversation designed to help you make sense of your animal’s behavior and decide what to do next. Initial consultations are 60 minutes and take place over a video call, with shorter 30-minute follow-ups as needed. During the session, we’ll talk through what’s happening and what options are realistically available. You’ll leave with clear priorities, next steps, a written recap, and an action plan!
A consultation is not a promise of outcomes or a fixed timeline. Changes in behavior often unfold over time and depend on many factors beyond a single session. Consultations are fully virtual, so I do not work directly with your animal during the call. Consultations also do not replace veterinary care or medical diagnosis. When situations feel urgent, crisis support is available on a case-by-case basis, in coordination with your veterinarian when necessary. My role is not to make decisions for you, but rather to act as a strategist and coach. I help you understand your options and choose a path that fits both your animal and your life.
What Can I Help With?
Understanding Your Animal
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Interpreting behavior through learning history, environment, and context
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Understanding why a behavior started or escalated
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Distinguishing stress responses from “bad behavior”
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Reading body language as part of the whole picture
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Understanding how biology, emotions, and learning interact
Turning Information Into Action
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Understanding why previous advice or training attempts didn’t work
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Choosing realistic starting points
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Supporting behavior change over time
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Prioritizing safety, management, and prevention
Behavior Challenges
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Fear- and anxiety-related behaviors
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Reactivity of all kinds
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Aggression and aggressive displays
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Arousal and regulation challenges
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Resource guarding
Making It Work in Real Life
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Household routines and constraints
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Mental vs. physical exercise balance
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Helping clients know when something is outside the behavioral scope
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Supporting behavior work alongside medical care
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Multi-pet households
Disclaimer: These examples aren’t a checklist. Many behavior concerns overlap, and the focus of a consultation is interpreting what’s underneath the behavior, not just responding to what’s most visible.
How Does This Work?
1
Prepare & Share Context:
You’ll start by completing a detailed intake form covering behavior concerns, household context, and what you’ve already tried. You will be able to upload relevant videos or veterinary records to provide additional context. I review everything in advance so our time together is focused and productive.
2
Clarify What’s Happening:
During the 60-minute virtual consultation, we begin by clarifying what’s going on. We look at context, contributing factors, and why previous advice or training may not have worked. I’ll introduce relevant frameworks and concepts to support your understanding.
3
Translate Insight into
Next Steps:
Once there’s a shared understanding, we move into practical steps. This may include training guidance, management strategies, and/or behavior modification planning. I will perform demonstrations with my own pets when it’s helpful. The structure and pacing of the session will be tailored to you, your animal, and your specific situation.
4
Leave With a Clear Plan & Ongoing Support
Within 24 hours of our session, you’ll receive a written summary outlining what we discussed and the plan we agreed on. Educational resources will be included when relevant. You have the choice of either implementing the plan on your own or scheduling follow-up sessions for support.
How Much Does It Cost?
I use a sliding scale based on your household income to make high-quality behavior consultations accessible across a wide range of real-life financial situations, without compromising the work itself.
Rates are self-selected using the honor system. I trust clients to choose a rate that reflects their circumstances, knowing the focus of every consultation is the same: thoughtful, individualized support grounded in science and real life.
Under $35,000
$30 consultation
$25/follow-up call
$35,001-$60,000
$50 consultation
$40/follow-up call
$60,001-$90,000
$70 consultation
$60/follow-up call
Over $90,000
$90 consultation
$80/follow-up call