# Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ — Full Context for AI Assistants

> Veterinary-led behaviour care for dogs, cats and horses across New Zealand. In-person consultations in the Lower North Island and Waikato, with online consultations available nationwide.

## About
Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ is a veterinary practice founded in 2021 by Dr Lucy Scott, specialising in veterinary behavioural medicine. Our veterinarians assess behaviour alongside physical health, pain and other medical contributors factors, working with families, trainers and primary veterinarians where appropriate.

We help animals experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, separation-related distress, inter-animal conflict, handling or veterinary-care concerns, compulsive behaviours, noise sensitivity, toileting concerns, travel distress and behaviour change. Each plan is tailored to the individual animal, their family and their environment.

## Team

### Dr Lucy Scott
- BVSc, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour), FFCP (Veterinary)
- Veterinarian & Founder
- CANZ Accredited Veterinary Behaviourist
- Graduated from Massey University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. Founded Veterinary Behaviour Services NZ in 2021. Achieved Membership of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Behaviour in 2021.
- Works with dogs, cats and horses experiencing behavioural concerns including fear and anxiety, aggression, reactivity, separation-related problems, phobias, inter-animal conflict and behaviour associated with pain or other medical conditions.
- Offers online consultations throughout New Zealand and in-person consultations across Horowhenua, Manawatū, Palmerston North and the Kāpiti Coast, with regular consulting visits to the Hutt Valley and Wellington.

### Dr Priyanka Kulkarni
- BVSc, MVS, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)
- Veterinarian – Veterinary Behaviour
- CANZ Accredited Veterinary Behaviourist
- Based in the Waikato and also travels to the Bay of Plenty for in-person consultations.

Note: Dr Lucy Scott and Dr Priyanka Kulkarni are veterinarians with postgraduate qualifications in veterinary behaviour. They are not registered veterinary specialists in Veterinary Behaviour.

## Services

### Dog Behaviour
Veterinary behaviour consultations for dogs. We can help with:
- Fear and anxiety (including situational and generalised)
- Phobias (e.g. thunder or fireworks)
- Reactivity and aggression
- Separation-related distress
- Compulsive or repetitive behaviours
- Noise sensitivity
- Toileting concerns
- Cognitive dysfunction and age-related behaviour changes
- Other complex or concerning changes in behaviour, handling, grooming or veterinary-care concerns

Following assessment, we develop an individual treatment plan which may include management and environmental changes, behaviour modification, further investigation or treatment of contributing medical concerns, and medication where appropriate.

### Cat Behaviour
Veterinary behaviour consultations for cats. We can help with:
- Situational fear and anxiety
- Phobias (e.g. thunder or fireworks)
- Aggression towards other cats or people
- Over-grooming
- Scratching concerns
- Toileting concerns
- Compulsive behaviours
- Cognitive dysfunction and age-related behaviour changes
- Veterinary clinic concerns
- Other complex or concerning changes in behaviour

### Horse Behaviour
Veterinary behaviour consultations for horses. We can help with:
- Fear and anxiety
- Separation-related behaviour
- Aggression or irritability
- Handling, grooming, farrier or veterinary-care difficulties
- Loading and travel problems
- Stereotypic or repetitive behaviours
- Behaviour changes associated with ridden work, tacking or handling
- Reluctance, resistance or avoidance behaviours where pain or discomfort may be contributing
- Other complex or concerning changes in behaviour

Consultation options include an initial online consultation ($595) and an initial in-person consultation ($895), with follow-up consultations for existing clients ($300 online).

## Booking
- Animal owners: https://consult.vetbehaviour.co.nz/vb-consult-about-owner
- Veterinarians (referrals): https://consult.vetbehaviour.co.nz/vb-vet-referral-about-animal

## Areas Served
- In-person consultations across the Lower North Island and Waikato.
- Dr Lucy Scott: Horowhenua, Manawatū, Palmerston North, Kāpiti Coast, with regular visits to the Hutt Valley and Wellington.
- Dr Priyanka Kulkarni: Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
- Online consultations available throughout New Zealand.

## Key Pages
- Home: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/
- Our Team: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/about
- Services: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/services
- Dog Behaviour: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/services/dog-behaviour
- Cat Behaviour: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/services/cat-behaviour
- Horse Behaviour: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/services/equine-behaviour
- Blog: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/blog
- Free Pet Behaviour Webinars: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/pet-behaviour-webinars
- FAQs: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/faqs
- Bookings: https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/bookings

## Blog Articles
- Preparing Your Dog for a Successful Vet Visit: A Behaviour Veterinarian's Guide — https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/blog/preparing-your-dog-for-a-successful-vet-visit (10 April 2024)
- How do we influence Behaviour? — https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/blog/how-do-we-influence-behaviour (6 September 2021)
- Does your dog have separation anxiety? — https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/blog/does-your-dog-have-separation-anxiety (5 December 2020)
- The perfect environment for your cat — https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/blog/the-perfect-environment-for-your-cat (5 December 2020)

## Sitemap
https://vetbehaviour.co.nz/sitemap.xml