Job Title: / Resident in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine
Reporting to: / Director of Canine Behaviour and Research
Location: / London Head Office
Revised: / December 2016
Summary
Behaviour problems are the most common reason for dogs to come into rehoming centres, and Dogs Trust are committed to making sure that problems are identified and training or rehabilitation programmes put in place. Dogs Trust uses reward based, welfare compatible methods of training and behavioural rehabilitation techniques, in line with the latest scientific evidence. In addition to working with dogs in our centre we run Dog School, an exciting new initiative, providing community education about dog behaviour and accessible dog training classes across the UK. Through providing appropriate advice to dog owners, Dog School aims to reduce the numbers of dogs developing problematic behaviour and have a positive long-term impact on dog welfare.
The Resident in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine is a fixed three year training position, providing the post-holder with a route to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to apply for professional accreditation with the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (ECAWBM) as a European Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, via a non-traditional residency programme.
The Resident will work in re-homing centres and Dog Schools across the UK developing proficiency in conducting behaviour consultations under the direction of the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research. As part of the role, the Resident will be expected to develop written and on-line support materials in veterinary behavioural medicine, assist the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research and Clinical Animal Behaviourist(s) in making recommendations for treatment protocols, and provide support and training to other members of staff in operations, behaviour and veterinary teams. The post-holder will also have the opportunity to undertake a research project during their residency.
Duties
· Keep up to date with the latest thinking on canine behaviour and training, including knowledge of the influence of physiological changes and disease processes on behavioural signs, the principles of learning, and the relationship between behavioural signs and welfare.
· Be able to read and interpret new information in a critical manner and to help convey these in lay terms to ensure that both psychopharmacological and behavioural therapies and practices applied in Dog School and Rehoming Centres are evidence based and have a positive impact on dog welfare.
· Develop skills in veterinary behavioural medicine over the period of the residency to achieve competency in clinical veterinary behavioural medicine
· Work up to providing independent assessments, as required, of dogs with behaviour problems that require more specialist input, including those with a medical component or requiring psychoactive medication.
· Support and advise Dog School and Rehoming Centre staff on matters relating to psychoactive medication and links between disease, physiology and behavioural signs, under the direction of the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research.
· Work with the centre TBA, Senior TBA team and Clinical Animal Behaviourist(S) in devising the optimal behaviour rehabilitation strategy for dogs in Dogs Trust care
· Develop and monitor a system for approving where psychoactive medication may be of value to optimise the welfare of dogs in rehoming centres.
· Develop skills mentoring staff in recognising behavioural signs that may be indicative of physiological changes or disease processes.
· Assist with staff training through workshops, clinical case reviews and conferences.
· Work with the Veterinary Director and colleagues to develop professional relationships with the Rehoming Centre veterinary and veterinary nurse teams to provide behavioural CPD and individual case support.
· Be thoroughly familiar with Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) and the policies of Dogs Trust.
· Promote the work of Dogs Trust through the media, the public, local vets etc, whilst always protecting the image of Dogs Trust.
· Ensure that all Health and Safety procedures, as deemed necessary after assessment of risk are implemented and followed.
· Carry out other duties as directed by the Director of Canine Behaviour and Research
Person Specification
The Veterinary Resident will:
· Have a good knowledge of dog behaviour, training and welfare.
· Have a veterinary qualification, with further training or education in clinical behaviour being desirable.
· Have completed a minimum of two years postgraduate experience as a veterinary surgeon
· Have experience in handling dogs with a range of different behavioural signs, and be familiar with a range of different techniques for training and rehabilitation
· Have basic knowledge of statistical methods to be able to evaluate published research and undertake a small research project under supervision.
· Be passionate about enhancing the welfare of dogs and their owners through the use of appropriate management, behaviour modification, appropriate medication and rehabilitation programmes.
· Have enthusiasm for professional development, research and developing specialist skills in veterinary behavioural medicine.
· Have excellent written skills, with the ability to write, interpret and analyse comprehensive behavioural reports.
· Be a good listener, empathetic and able to mentor and develop Dogs Trust staff.
· Have good verbal communication skills, and be able to discuss the management of dogs confidently with a range of stakeholders particularly veterinary surgeons, but also other specialist practitioners, Dog School staff, TBAs and senior TBAs.
· Be able to work independently, be organised and able to develop and prioritise his or her own workload.
· Be willing to travel within the UK as a regular part of the job along with overnight stays.
· Be aware of the limitations of their expertise, and seek guidance and supervision where required.
· Be experienced at dealing with the general public, prepared to run workshops, and comfortable delivering presentations to large audiences, such as veterinary CPD events.
· Be computer literate with knowledge of MSWord, Excel and able to use Internet.
· Be able to record information accurately and use data to generate basic reports
Must possess a full manual UK driving licence
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Job Description/CAB Dogs Trust/Dec 2016