Dr. Melissa Bain is a professor of clinical animal behavior at UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine and is board-certified by both the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the American College of Animal Welfare. In 2016, Dr. Bain was selected as the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year, and in 2019 she received the Companion Animal Welfare Award from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
10:30 AM-11:30 AM Decoding the Drip: Understanding and Treatment of Feline House Soiling
This case-based talk will address a common feline behavioral problem: housesoiling. The session emphasizes a systematic approach to identify the relationship between medical issues (such as FIC), urine marking, and inappropriate toileting, with the focus on the common reasons for toileting. We will cover environmental and litterbox optimization (location, substrate, and cleanliness), as well as psychopharmacologic treatments for stress-related cases. By tackling this common problem, veterinarians can continue to provide life-saving solutions.
11:35 AM-12:35 PM From Fear to Fury: Management of Feline Aggression
This case-based talk will address the challenges of feline aggression, with a focus on causes, management, and behavior modification for cat- and human-directed aggression. We will highlight the importance of using a systemic approach to identify triggers. Management strategies will cover environmental optimization, appropriate human interactions, and the use of psychotropic medications to help reduce the anxiety leading to aggression.
8:00 AM-9:00 AM Stuck in a Loop: Repetitive Behaviors in Dogs and Cats
This case-based talk will explore the problem of repetitive behaviors in pets, distinguishing between displacement, compulsive, and medically affected causes. Attendees will learn to identify common manifestations, such as tail-chasing in dogs and psychogenic alopecia in cats. We will emphasize a multimodal diagnostic approach while addressing underlying medical triggers. Treatment strategies focus on behavior modification, environmental optimization, and use of psychotropic medications.
9:05 AM-10:05 AM Trainer Triage: How to Select for Success, Not Setbacks
This interactive talk will provide attendees with a framework for how to identify humane and reputable dog trainers. We will cover covert red flags like “balanced” and how to best identify aversive-based training while highlighting the importance of humane and evidence-based methodologies. Attendees will gain insight in how to evaluate credentials, understand the limits of professional scopes, and build a reliable referral network. By identifying trainers to which to send clients, veterinarians can ensure long-term behavioral success for their clients and dogs.
10:30 AM-11:30 AM Less Stress, More Success: Practical Management of Fearful Dogs in Practice
This talk will offer specific and easily implemented strategies to transform the experience for fearful canine patients. Focusing on low-stress care, the session details how small adjustments can significantly reduce patient cortisol levels, and how best to communicate these changes with team members. Attendees will learn to interpret body language cues to intervene before they escalate into aggression, and how to start incorporating techniques that prioritize cooperation over coercion. By reducing anxiety, veterinarians can ensure more accurate physical exams, safer handling, and increased client satisfaction.
11:35 AM-12:35 PM Pawsitive Post-Op: Enhancing Canine Comfort and Welfare After Surgery
This lecture will address the intersection of physical and psychological well-being in the post-op canine patient. In addition to pain management, the session will explore how confinement and restricted activity can lead to anxiety and slower recovery. We will address comprehensive recovery plans that incorporate analgesia, mental stimulation, and modified physical therapy. By addressing the behavioral welfare alongside physical health, veterinarians can improve patient outcomes and owner adherence.
