Holistic help for anxiety, aggression and behavioral disorders in dogs and cats
Hanover. The clinic for small animals at the Hannover Veterinary University Foundation (TiHo) is expanding her range of treatments: With veterinarian Claudia Richter, she is now offering a specialized consultation for behavioral medicine for dogs, cats and other animal species. As a “Diplomate” of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Richter is an internationally recognized expert in behavioral medicine. The title “Diplomate” describes an additional level of qualification that Richter has acquired in Canada through several years of highly specialized veterinary training, a so-called residency, for her field.
Veterinary behavioral medicine deals with the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders, primarily those in which physical and emotional causes are linked. Physical illnesses can trigger or worsen behavioral changes, and psychological stress can also cause or worsen physical symptoms.
Commonly treated behavioral problems include compulsive behavior such as chasing light, shadows or one's own tail, and cognitive dysfunction (Dementia), Feeding problems as well as fear and aggressive behavior – for example in connection with visits to the vet, noises or social situations. In the case of cats, typical reasons for presentation include problems when bringing several animals together, fearful behavior or unwanted urination in the household.
“Our goal is to look at the physical and emotional health of our patients holistically and to create an individual treatment plan for each animal and its family,” explains veterinarian Richter. “We benefit from the other specialist departments at TiHo, use the latest technology and can therefore ensure comprehensive diagnostics.”
Treatment process
The care begins with an online questionnaire and an initial telemedical consultation, which serve as preparation and planning. The subsequent appointment at the clinic includes a thorough clinical and behavioral examination. On this basis, an individual therapy plan is created that includes medical measures, behavioral therapy approaches and – if necessary – medication support. “In behavioral medicine, we also work closely with qualified trainers who guide animal owners and work with positive reinforcement,” explains Richter. “This is comparable to a surgeon working with a physiotherapist.”
For clinic director Professor Holger Volk, PhD, the new behavioral medicine consultation is a great enrichment for the TiHo: “Behavioral medicine has numerous interfaces to our other specialist areas – both in outpatient and inpatient care,” says Volk. “We are very proud and grateful to have gained such an experienced expert in Claudia Richter for the small animal clinic.”
The behavioral health team will be further expanded in the coming months. Richter also wants to get veterinary students interested in this important field at an early stage.
Appointments in the behavioral health consultation hours
Interested pet owners can find all information and the forms for initial contact at www.tiho-hannover.de/verhalten.
About Claudia Richter
Claudia Richter studied veterinary medicine at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich. After the state examination, she went to Canada, where she initially gained experience in general practice for over ten years and developed her interest in behavioral medicine. She decided to specialize and completed a residency with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB). A residency is a structured training course lasting several years in which veterinarians acquire practical experience and scientific competence in a specialist area under supervision. Richter successfully completed her residency as a “Diplomate” in 2024. The Diplomate title stands for internationally recognized and highly specialized further training in various disciplines. She ran her own behavioral health practice in Vancouver for many years. She is now setting up the new department for behavioral medicine at TiHo Hannover.
About the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)
The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) is the international certification body for veterinarians specializing in behavioral medicine. The goal is to promote animal behavioral health through research, evidence-based education and clinical expertise.
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