For Vets: Veterinary ReferralVeterinary

Veterinary Behaviour Referrals

Straightforward referrals. Clear communication. Collaborative care.

I provide veterinary-referred behavioural assessment and support for dogs experiencing separation-related problems, fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, handling difficulties and other complex behavioural concerns.

My referral process is designed to be straightforward for busy veterinary teams. You provide the essential client, patient and clinical information, and I contact the client directly to discuss the referral and arrange the appropriate next step.

Throughout the process, the dog’s physical health, emotional welfare and safety remain central to all behavioural recommendations.

What You Can Expect

1. A straightforward referral pathway:

   • The referral button opens a pre-populated email requesting only the essential information required to identify the client, patient and reason for referral. Relevant clinical records, investigation results and current medication details can be attached directly to the email (vetreferrals@brighthound.ie )

2. Direct contact with your client:

   • Once the referral is received, I contact the client directly to discuss their concerns, explain the service and arrange a behavioural consultation where appropriate.
   • If the client declines the service or does not respond to contact attempts, I will let the referring practice know that the referral has not progressed.

3. A comprehensive behavioural assessment:

   • Behavioural assessments usually take place in the client’s home and include a detailed review of the dog’s behavioural, medical and environmental history.
   • The assessment considers the presenting behaviour, contributing factors, welfare, safety and any behavioural differentials that may indicate an underlying medical concern.

4. Professional veterinary reporting:

   • Following the assessment, your practice will receive a veterinary summary containing the relevant history, behavioural findings, formulation, recommendations and any areas that may require further veterinary investigation.
   • Where a possible medical contributor is identified, I will explain the concern to the client and refer the case back to the veterinary practice with a focused summary of my findings.
   • Behavioural work may proceed, be adapted, remain limited to management or pause while veterinary investigation takes place, depending on the needs of the individual case.

5. Collaborative case management: I will liaise with the referring practice when:

   • Further medical assessment or diagnostic investigation may be appropriate;
   • Pain, illness or physical discomfort may be contributing to the behaviour;
   • Medication or veterinary treatment is relevant to the behavioural plan;
   • A significant welfare or safety concern arises;
   • Onward referral to a veterinary specialist may need to be considered.

Routine training updates are not sent after every interaction. Communication is focused on information relevant to the dog’s health, welfare, safety and coordinated care.

6. Evidence-based and ethical support:
   • All recommendations are grounded in current behavioural science, welfare-focused practice and positive, non-aversive approaches.

Professional and Ethical Standards

I am Barbara J. Hardman, an ABTC-registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist ABTC and Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors APBC .

My work is grounded in current behavioural science and follows ethical, welfare-centred and non-aversive principles.

As an APBC Full Member, I work on veterinary referral, follow a professional Code of Conduct and complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development each year.

I recognise the important relationship between physical health and behaviour. I work within my professional remit and refer cases back to the attending veterinary surgeon whenever medical investigation, diagnosis or treatment may be required.

Why Practitioner Credentials Matter

The term “behaviourist” is not currently a protected professional title in Ireland. This means that levels of education, clinical competence, professional accountability and ethical practice can vary considerably between practitioners.

Referral to an appropriately assessed and registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist provides reassurance that the practitioner:

• Has been assessed against recognised professional standards;
• Works within defined clinical and ethical boundaries;
• Recognises when behaviour may be influenced by pain or illness;
• Works collaboratively with veterinary professionals;
• Maintains appropriate insurance and professional accountability;
• Undertakes ongoing continuing professional development.

Pet Insurance

Most pet-insurance policies may contribute towards behavioural assessment and treatment where the case has been referred by a veterinary surgeon. Clients should check the terms of their individual policy directly with their insurer before booking.

Veterinary Referral Process

1. Submit the referral

Click the referral button and complete the pre-populated email with:

• your name and practice details;
• the client’s contact information;
• the dog’s details;
• the reason for referral;
• relevant medical, medication, safety or bite-history information.

Please attach the patient’s relevant clinical history, investigation results and current medication details where available.

2. I contact the client

I contact the client directly to discuss the referral, explain the service and arrange the appropriate next step.

3. Your practice remains informed

Your practice receives a written veterinary summary following the behavioural assessment and further communication whenever veterinary input is relevant to the case.

You are also welcome to contact me before providing client details if you would like to discuss whether a case may be suitable for referral.

Referral Email Template

If the referral button does not open correctly, please copy and paste the template below into a new email and send it to vetreferrals@brighthound.ie .

Dear Barbara,

I would like to refer the following client to Bright Hound.

REFERRING VET

Vet name:

Practice name:

Practice email or telephone:

CLIENT DETAILS

Client name:

Client email:

Client telephone:

PATIENT DETAILS

Dog’s name:

Breed:

Date of birth:

REASON FOR REFERRAL

Is there an immediate safety or welfare concern? Yes / No

If yes, please provide brief details:

Relevant medical conditions, pain concerns, investigations or current medication:

Known bite history: Yes / No / Unknown

If yes, please provide any known details regarding the most recent or most serious incident:

I confirm that the client is aware of this referral and has agreed to Bright Hound contacting them.

Please attach the patient’s relevant clinical history, investigation results and current medication details where available. If further information is required, Bright Hound may contact the practice directly.

Kind regards,

All referral information is handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable data-protection requirements.

Feedback from Referring Vets

“Barbara has been working closely with our clinic to help owners and their pets uncover the underlying triggers of various behavioural concerns, including anxiety and house soiling. It’s been invaluable to work together as a veterinarian and behaviourist, ensuring that we explore or exclude other conditions that might be reinforcing these unwanted behaviours.”

“Barbara has kept us fully informed on each patient’s progress, highlighting areas that may need further investigation. This comprehensive approach has helped support the mental and physical health of her patients throughout the process.”

     AibhlinMVB MSc PGCertSAM Veterinary Surgeon at Village Vets