Readers' letters

Dear Georgina,

I enjoyed the recent article about desensitisation and counter-conditioning in the October issue of The Veterinary Nurse (6(7): 402–9), but some of my colleagues who work as behaviourists were a little surprised by the inference that the RVCS only viewed those accredited by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) as Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourists (CCAB) as currently accepted to deal with behaviour problems.

It was the impression of my colleagues that veterinary surgeons are free to refer to behaviourists of their choice and are not limited or restricted to those with particular qualifications or training. But, as professionals, it would be important for vets to be satisfied that the individual is competent and has adequate and appropriate qualifications to carry out this work. Therefore could you please clarify the intended meaning of your article in regard to who veterinary surgeons should refer clients to when their pets display behaviour problems.