How to Find a Veterinary Behavior Consultant Through AVSAB

Updated

AVSAB (the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) maintains a public online directory of behavior consultants that you can search directly on its website. Use it if you are a pet owner looking for a veterinarian or behavior professional with a focus in animal behavior, or a referring veterinarian seeking a specialist for a patient. The directory is described by AVSAB as "the largest online database of veterinarians with a focus in animal behavior," and access to the search is open through the site's "Find a Behavior Consultant" / "Search Consultants" function.

Who is listed in the directory

AVSAB describes its membership as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and graduate degree–level animal behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior. The public directory is presented as a resource of behavior consultants, and AVSAB states it is the largest online database of veterinarians with a focus in animal behavior.

That means the directory is oriented toward professionals with a veterinary or advanced behavioral background, not a general list of trainers. If your case involves a medical or psychopharmacological component, this is the relevant pool to search.

How to search the directory

  1. Go to avsab.org.
  2. Locate the "Find a Behavior Consultant" link (also labeled "Search Consultants" in the site's directory section).
  3. Enter your search criteria to pull matching consultants from the database.
  4. Review the results and contact the consultant directly to discuss your case.

The expected result is a list of behavior consultants you can then screen for fit — species focus, location, and availability are things to confirm with the individual consultant, since the site excerpt does not specify filter fields.

What else the site offers

Beyond the directory, AVSAB publishes position statements — useful if you want to understand the organization's stance on a behavior topic before or after choosing a consultant. The site also runs a blog with articles, and members get access to job openings, research opportunities, and scholarships.

One current example of member-only content: AVSAB announces a 30% discount for members on Dr. Katrin Jahn's "PSYCHOACTIVE" veterinary psychopharmacology course, an RACE-approved course worth 8.5 CE credits, covering neurotransmission, long-acting medications (SSRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, SNRIs), short-acting medications (SARIs, gabapentinoids, alpha-2 agonists, benzodiazepines), and practical applications. This is relevant mainly if you are a veterinary professional rather than a pet owner.

Membership vs. using the directory

Need What to use
Find a behavior consultant Public directory search — no membership required per the site's public directory framing
Read AVSAB's stance on a behavior issue Position statements
Access discounts, job postings, research and scholarship opportunities Membership
Keep up with behavior topics Blog articles and newsletter sign-up

Membership is aimed at professional veterinarians, veterinary technicians, doctorate-level animal behaviorists, researchers, and students. If you only need to locate a consultant, start with the directory; consider membership if you want the professional community, forums, and member benefits.

Practical notes

  • The directory lists consultants, but the site excerpt does not state fees, response times, or whether consultants accept remote/virtual cases — confirm these directly.
  • If you are a veterinarian making a referral, the directory gives you a searchable pool to identify a colleague with a behavior focus.
  • Signing up for the newsletter is a low-commitment way to follow announcements, including member discounts and new blog content.