American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior - AVSAB

Use this search to find a veterinarian or veterinary behaviorist who receives animal behavior cases in your area. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a membership-only organization of veterinarians and persons holding a PhD in animal behavior or a related field. It does not confer upon its members any qualifications or presuppose a level of expertise in the field of animal behavior. Our organization cannot endorse or specifically recommend anyone. This locater function will provide you with a list of veterinarians who are members of this organization and have an interest in behavior.

The following table reviews the credentials that various individuals who see pets for behavior problems may have. After reviewing this information, please scroll down to the "Search" icon below to begin the search process.

Explanation of credentials:

DVM or VMD: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Medical Doctor. Veterinarians are the only people legally able to diagnose and treat medical and behavioral problems in animals, including prescribing medications to treat those problems.
DACVB: Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Person is a veterinarian who has completed an approved residency program in veterinary behavior and has passed a national board examination in that discipline. A board certified Veterinary Behaviorist specializes in clinical animal behavior and is able to diagnose and treat medical and behavioral problems as well as prescribe medications to treat those problems.
PhD: Persons have completed PhD degree in animal behavior or a related field. This degree is research and theory related and does not necessarily imply clinical behavior training.
Behaviorist: This term is not attached to any specific qualification or level of schooling unless preceded by "veterinary" or "applied animal." This term is not attached to any specific qualification or level of schooling. It can be used by anyone including someone with no formal education in companion animal behavior.

Other options for finding a person who has an interest in companion animal behavior:

Contact your pet's veterinarian or nearest veterinary college
Contact one of our members in your area who has indicated to AVSAB a professional interest in treating behavior problems. These can be found by using the locator function.
Contact the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists for a list of board certified veterinary behavior specialists.