In 1998, ASAB set up a working party to examine the need for a professional framework for people working in applications of animal behaviour, along the lines of the Board of Professional Certification run by the Animal Behavior Society for the USA and Canada. The ASAB working party, focusing specifically on those treating behavioural disorders of companion animals ("pet behaviour counsellors"), recommended that a Certification scheme for the UK would be helpful to allow both pet-owners and professionals, such as veterinary surgeons, to select behaviourists with proper qualifications and skills. Its report is available here.

The ASAB AGM in July 2002 approved the establishment of an Accreditation Committee to set up and run a Certification Scheme for Clinical Animal Behaviourists. This committee consists of ASAB members, and also representatives of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Psychological Society and the International Society for Applied Ethology.

Certification is offered for Clinical Animal Behaviourists working with the behaviour disorders of dogs, cats and other animals. Currently-active practitioners with extensive clinical experience are invited to apply for full certification. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they possess appropriate skills, knowledge and abilities, including an Honours or higher degree in a relevant subject, appropriate specialist courses, and at least three years of regular clinical experience.

The Committee is prepared to accept applications for pre-certification from practitioners who, whilst currently lacking the range of clinical experience needed for full certification, can demonstrate that they possess knowledge and experience that are at least equivalent to the formal academic requirements of the certification scheme. The Committee will assess the extent to which the applicant's experience meets the published standards with a view to exempting them from elements of the requirements for supervised experience, where it deems it appropriate. Competencies recognized in the pre-certification process will also inform the Committee's consideration of any future application for full certification.

Certification is of benefit to anyone who consults with the public or with other professionals about specific behavioural disorders of individual animals.

Details of the scheme are available by clicking on the Certification Scheme link, in the right hand menu.

Workshop 2004: Provision of Supervised Experience

The ASAB Accreditation Committee held a workshop on the provision of supervised experience for the trainee clinical animal behaviourist on 1st July 2004 at the British Veterinary Association, London, UK. The aim of the workshop was to consider the situation presently existing in the UK with respect to the provision of supervised experience for trainee clinical animal behaviourists, to share information on current practice and opportunities in the provision of supervised experience, and to make recommendations that will enable individuals wishing to pursue a career in the treatment of behavioural disorders in animals to more easily obtain the range and quality of supervised experience they need to operate as a competent professional. A copy of the report on the workshop can be downloaded here.

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