On her best behavior: A Talk with Kristen White, CVT

摘要

AFTER TRAINING a bird to play basketball and a deaf dog to follow commands, helping clients effectively modify their pets' undesirable behaviors is a snap for Kristen White, CVT. Kristen, a behavior technician and practice manager at the Animal and Bird Hospital of Clearwater in Clearwater, Florida, says her aim is to strengthen the bond between her clients and their pets. As part of her mission, she teaches puppy classes and educates owners about the importance of socialization and environmental enrichment. "My goal is to keep that puppy in the owner's home for the rest of its life," says Kristen, who also serves as president of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (SVBT) and as a part-time behavior technician with the Animal Behavior Network, an online behavior resource for both veterinary professionals and pet owners. Here, she tells us about successful behavior modification techniques and why technicians are in an ideal position to teach puppy classes.