If you have contacted us previously, please note that we are in the process of phasing out initial remote appointments and will be scheduling a single in-person initial appointment going forward. Remote appointments are still available for follow-up if we have seen your pet in person the last 8-12 months. See below for more information.

What to Expect

The initial behavior consultation is approximately 90 minutes, conducted in person at our Small Animal Community Practice, 968 Campus Road, Ithaca, New York. More details about the appointment are included below. At that time, we will also schedule a 30-minute follow-up appointment (typically conducted via Zoom 4-8 weeks after the initial appointment).

• We will review your pet’s medical and behavioral history and conduct a risk assessment.
• We will also discuss the diagnosis, prognosis and initial treatment options.
• You will be provided with an immediate action plan, including safety and management protocols, tools and educational materials specific to your pet’s needs.
• Medications and supplements will be discussed and prescribed if appropriate for your pet.
• A physical exam will be performed as much as your pet will allow without causing unnecessary stress.

Following the consultation, you will receive a written summary of the visit, which will also be shared with your primary care veterinarian. Follow-up appointments can be completed in person or via video conferencing (Zoom). However, we must see your pet a minimum of every 6-12 months in person in order to make treatment recommendations and prescribe medications.

Please note that all our consultations focus on behavioral issues rather than general veterinary care. Please contact your regular veterinarian if there appears to be a medical problem with your pet. If a medical problem is recognized during a behavioral consultation, it will be referred to your regular veterinarian.

Our goal is to communicate the cost of care and payment policies as clearly and transparently as possible prior to starting and throughout treatment. We welcome any questions you have at any time. 

Please call (607) 253-2300 for the current cost of behavioral health consultations and progress appointments. All diagnostic tests, training tools, medications, supplements, and additional training and behavior modification sessions are priced separately.

Payment is due at the time of service. More information about our payment policy can be found here.

Here is how to prepare for your appointment with the Behavior Medicine Service.

• Bring your pet: Your pet should be present for the initial appointment. Your pet does not necessarily need to attend remote follow-up appointments, but we will touch base with you on the best course of action. If your concern is two pets fighting in your home, please let us know and we can decide which pets need to attend the appointment.

• Who should attend: We encourage everyone who lives with your pet, or who interacts with your pet regularly, to attend, particularly for the remote consultation. Also, if you are working with a trainer, they are also welcome. We find the team approach to behavioral care always works best. 

• Pre-veterinary medications: If medications for fear and anxiety have been prescribed by your primary care veterinarian, please plan to administer those to your pet on the day of your in-person visit. If you have any questions about giving medications prior to your visit, please let us know when scheduling.

• Video: Video of the problem behavior is helpful and should be provided prior to the appointment if possible. If file size is small enough, you can email video to communitypractice@cornell.edu. We would recommend DropBox or Google Drive for larger video files. Take video only if it is safe to do so and you are not creating or escalating a dangerous situation.

• Medical records: Prior to your appointment, please have your primary care veterinarian send a copy of your animal's medical records, recent test results and vaccination records to communitypractice@cornell.edu. We require proof of rabies vaccination. 

• SAFETY: Animals that have bitten people should be appropriately restrained either on leash or in a carrier at the start of the appointment until instructed otherwise. Please keep your animal under control at all times so that there is no risk to hospital staff. 

In cases of aggression, we strongly recommend avoiding known triggers for your pet until the visit. If you are concerned about your safety or the safety of a family member, please let us know so we can discuss things further.

• The American College of Veterinary Behavior

• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior

• The Cornell Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior