Large Animal Behavior Medicine and Consultations
CUHA’s Animal Behavior Clinic offers one of the few services in the world providing behavioral consultations for both small and large animals.
Large Animal Behavior Consultations
The clinic helps owners and veterinarians address a wide array of problems in large animals. Common problems seen include:
Aggression
(Aggression towards other animals or the owner, Trailering problems, Farrier problems, etc.)
Social problems
(Separation anxiety, Offspring rejection, etc.)
Stereotypy
(Obsessive compulsive disorders such as Head shaking, Pacing, Cribbing, Weaving, etc.)
Consultations last 2-3 hours and involve three steps: a history review and analysis of underlying causes; observation of animal-owner interactions, performance of relevant tasks, assessment of behavior problems; and the development of a behavioral modification plan. Following a behavioral consultation, the service provides both the client and the referring veterinarian with letters of recommendation reflecting the action plan.
The plan may include avoidance of triggers and recommended environmental changes, behavioral modification program based on learning theory, steps to build stronger animal-human bond, activities for mental and physical enrichment, and/or prescription medicines.
About Dr. Rivard
After a decade practicing small animal and equine medicine, Resident in Behavior Dr. Germain Rivard completed a PhD in neuroscience, expanding his understanding of animal communication and developing lab-animal husbandry improvements now implemented worldwide. Dr. Rivard’s experience in horse husbandry and equine medicine builds on an intimate understanding of horses developed during his career as an equestrian pre-selected for Canada’s Olympic team.
As a current Non-Conforming Resident in Veterinary Behavior Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences, Dr. Rivard is working with world-renowned veterinary behaviorist Dr. Katherine Houpt to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
This specialized credential is held by only 50 veterinarians in the USA, and only a select handful of these veterinary behaviorists serve large animals. Dr. Rivard joined Cornell’s animal behavior service in 2009 and remains open for consultation on issues with any species.
Scheduling an Appointment
Referring veterinarians can contact the clinic via phone at 607-253-3060 or email at vabc@cornell.edu.
History forms for dogs and cats can be found at http://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospital/Services/Companion/Behavior/, and horses may be found at http://www.vet.cornell.edu//hospital/Services/Equine/Behavior/. For other species, call the clinic or contact Dr. Rivard directly at gfr6@cornell.edu to receive a species-specific form.
