Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Promoting the Best in Pet Behaviour. Why join the APBC?

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1 Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Promoting the Best in Pet Behaviour APBC Why join the APBC?

2 What is the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors? The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) was established in 1989 to raise the standard of pet behaviour counselling and companion animal welfare in the UK. As a trade association for pet behaviour counsellors, the APBC represents, promotes, and supports its members, and aims to develop and maintain high standards with the profession. Full membership of the APBC is achieved by being independently accredited as a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). APBC ASSOCIATION OF PET BEHAVIOUR COUNSELLORS The APBC has a strict code of conduct ensuring its members confirm to the highest level of professionalism. The APBC aims to foster a greater understanding of companion animal behaviour and improve welfare by providing conferences, webinars, and information to all interested parties. The APBC is the go to behaviour organisation for the veterinary profession. The APBC is a founding member of the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). The APBC membership is varied with members from a variety of different background and broad range of experiences including the police, rescue organisations, academics in the field, the assistance dogs organisations, vets, vet nurses, trainers and students. The APBC also has international members. Whilst most APBC practitioners specialise in dogs and cats, members also treat horses, rabbits, birds and reptiles. Page 2

3 The APBC provides to its members and the public: Annual animal behaviour conferences. Monthly webinars. Behaviour-related blogs and articles. Free advisory handouts downloadable from the website. Lobbying for humane methods of pet training and behaviour modification. An online shop with books and other products at great prices. Research assistance to universities. Personal case data collection, collation and analysis that is used to further the understanding of pet behaviour Page 3

4 Member Benefits Massive discount on webinars. Discounts on conferences and seminars. Members only events, workshops and education days. A collective insurance scheme providing comprehensive professional indemnity and public liability insurance at a reduced rate. A vibrant forum (and archive) for the exchange of up to date information and discussion of interesting and difficult cases and other relevant topics. An active Facebook page for less formal discussion, business development, and moral support. Online case log recording and analysis system. Regular members newsletter. A network of contacts and resources to help student members. Support for provisional members when progressing through the process of becoming a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) through case study days, mentorship opportunities, and other initiatives. Full Member Benefits Promotion through the APBC website s member locator. Listing on the ABTC practitioner register as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Clients can often claim through their pet insurance for APBC members services. Use of the APBC logo More referrals! APBC AGM Page 4

5 What APBC Members say Ali Scott Joining the APBC helped to give me the support and direction I needed to progress my career as a companion animal behaviourist. It opened up the opportunity for me to attend lots of courses/seminars, putting me at the forefront of new insights and developments in the field of animal behaviour. As a working mother of two, attending events can be challenging, but the APBC recognised the difficulties some of its members face and now provide lots of fantastic webinars, presented by professionals from all over the world. Ali Scott BSc (Hons) PG Dip CABC Full Member of the APBC The various APBC forums provide a community for support and advice, which has been invaluable to me throughout my journey to become a full member. It is also great to be able to chat and have a giggle with other like-minded people who share the same interests. Alan McFarlane As a member of the APBC you are welcomed into a world where information, advice and support flows freely among peers. Being part of such a reputable association, one that works to improve the welfare of all companion animals, is important to me. And through the provision of excellent seminars, webinars and workshops from leaders in the field of animal behaviour, my learning never stops. I would recommend membership of the APBC to all those working to become a qualified pet behaviour counsellor. Alan McFarlane Msc Provisional Member of the APBC Page 5

6 Lindsay Mann I ve held the APBC in high regard for many years, and it was so exciting when I was accepted as a Provisional member. One of the main benefits of membership is access via forums to some of the most knowledgeable and generous people in the UK behaviour world who help me to resolve difficult cases (or just not-yet-experienced situations), and how to work with my clients to achieve the results we want. I work with dogs and owners to bridge the communication gap now I can do this with so much more confidence that I am on the right track. Lindsay Mann Bsc Provisional Member of the APBC APBC Practical Assessment Weekend What a weekend! As a self-confessed dog-geek and CPD-aholic, I was excited to see the advert for the APBC s first practical assessment weekend appear in my inbox and jumped at the chance to be part it. I have been looking for a way to demonstrate to my clients and peers that I am a competent dog trainer alongside my behaviour counselling skills, and this assessment seemed to offer everything I was looking for. The team were extremely welcoming and eased us in gently with plenty of caffeine and cake. By the end of day one, we were all brimming with information and went home to crib up on the tasks ready for the assessment and write up some of the theoretical elements of the assessments. Natalie Light Bsc PGDip Full Member of the APBC On the morning of the assessment day, there was plenty of time to ask questions and get feedback on our drafted worksheets but once the stooge dogs started to arrive it was time to get down to business and focus on the task ahead. The assessors were extremely supportive and if there were any aspects of the assessment list that were missed or needed further clarification, there was an opportunity at the end of the practical sessions for them to ask questions or request further information. I was very happy to hear that I had passed the assessment especially as it qualifies for CCAB level 1 supervised experience. I d like to say a massive thank you to the assessors for making the weekend as informative, relaxing and enjoyable as possible! Page 6

7 My experience of attending CCAB supervisions at the Dogs Trust When attending my first CCAB supervision at a branch of the Dogs Trust, I was anxious to say the least! After all, there was a CCAB who was more experienced than me, several other people I didn t know... and I had the prospect of meeting a large dog described as being unpredictably aggressive towards unfamiliar people! However, my fears were not realised. The CCAB mentor for the day welcomed everyone and reminded us we were there to learn; hence mistakes and/ or lack of knowledge were perfectly acceptable and this was all part of the learning process. She also made everyone a cup of tea a job which was then shared throughout the day. Deborah Fry Bsc, Msc Full Member of the APBC This scheme was developed in collaboration between several Dogs Trust branches and individual CCAB s, as a means of providing CCAB supervisions. My own experience of these supervisions has been very positive and I see it as a win win situation! The dog and owner s situation improves, CCAB students continue to learn and develop their skills, and the CCAB kindly shares their knowledge so that more people achieve their CCAB goal. Students pay the CCAB for their time and travel costs, and this is generally in the region of 40 for the day which often includes two behaviour consultations; one before and one after lunch. The supervisions are informative and very friendly, contact details often get swapped, and everyone learns something from the day. The dog owners are appreciative and the collective wealth of advice given means there are generally good outcomes for the dogs, which is always wonderful. I ve made friends, met some lovely dogs, learned lots and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! Page 7

8 APBC ASSOCIATION OF PET BEHAVIOUR COUNSELLORS APBC, PO BOX 196, Llanelli, SA15 9DA United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0) (Admin Office) (Accounts)