Behavior consultations are offered to assist pet owners with their pet's behavior problems that can impact on the relationship between the pet, the pet's family, and the community.  Behavior problems for pets (both canine and feline) include separation anxiety, destruction of property, digging, barking, house soiling, inter-dog/cat aggression, human directed aggression, urine marking, and  obsessive-compulsive disorders, such as excessive grooming or licking. Our goal is to prevent, treat and effectively manage behavior problems in companion animals to enhance and strengthen the human-animal bond.

Treatment protocols are based on scientific information about animal behavior, behavior modification, and psychopharmacology, if needed.  The treatment plan is devised after we are assured that there is no metabolic cause for the problem. The owner will be asked to complete a comprehensive history form, which is reviewed prior to the patient's visit. Arrangements are then made for a 1-2 hour consultation appointment with either the veterinary team at OPVMC or the Cornell Behavior Specialist.  Follow up and continued consultation is also available.

The Veterinary Team at the Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Center offers consultations to clients with pets that have mild to moderate behavior problems that may include unruly behavior, housebreaking accidents, or general disobedience.  If you believe your pet is experiencing some of these behavior changes, please call the our office and we can schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians.

For pets that are exhibiting more advanced signs of a behavior problem such as aggression, destruction of property, running away, an appointment can be arranged at the OPVMC location with either Dr. Katherine Houpt, VMD, PhD. Dipl.ACVB, Director of the Animal Behavior Service Dept at Cornell University or her resident, Dr. Julia Albright.  Appointments are made by calling 1-607-253-4350 or 1-607-253-3450. 


Dr. Katherine A. Houpt VMD, PhD Dipl. ACVB is the James Law Professor of Animal Behavior at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.  She also oversees the college's Animal Behavior Clinic, where she treats a wide variety of problems, including aggression in all species, separation anxiety and obsessive compulsive behaviors in dogs, housesoiling and fabric eating in cats, cribbing and self-mutilation in horses.  Board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, she has published the textbook, Domestic Animal Behavior, and numerous scientific articles.  She also writes a column for Dogwatch.

We believe that a well-mannered pet is a treasured family member who will remain within the family it's whole life.