University of California - Davis, Clinical Behavior Service

Description of Elective Experience: 

Learning Outcome: To understand the importance of behavior in companion animal practice, primarily that of dogs and cats, and apply the knowledge learned during this rotation, as well as other sources during veterinary school, to prevent and treat problematic behaviors in companion animals.

 

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

Staffing: Two boarded behaviorists and one resident clinician; assisted by one RVT.

Additional resources include:

  • Carlson Library: medical and veterinary library
  • Campus libraries
  • In-clinic library: books that students and clinicians use
  • Full Internet access and access to library resources on computers in service
  • One of the few veterinary schools that has a veterinary behavior program; it is the largest in the country
  • Depending on timing, may sit in during vet school behavior classes and labs
  • Opportunity to attend other on-campus seminars and lectures, as time permits
Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

The student will be expected to participate in appointments with clients, sharing duties with other students on the rotation. Student will be expected to field questions from pet owners, write up case summaries, and give a 15 minute presentation on a topic of interest related to behavior. The student may also be expected to make shelter visits for behavioral evaluations, as appropriate. The student can expect to be directly responsible for up to 10 cases per week.

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

It may be possible to find short-term housing offered by vet school-related persons. Contact Nicole Adams <nijadams@ucdavis.edu> at the university for a list.

Supervisor: 
Dr. Elizabeth Stelow
Website: 
http://behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/
Contact email: 
Address: 
School of Veterinary Medicine
One Shields Ave
Davis, CA 95616
United States
Specialties: 
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
45