
Does your dog seem 'untrainable'?
Have you tried BAH, check chains, citronella collars but nothing works?
We love our pets. They are part of our family. But sometimes, when you come home to another chewed shoe, neighbour complaint about barking, or pee on the curtains AGAIN, it can be stressful, frustrating and difficult to live with. Worse still if your loved one starts to become aggressive towards you or other animals!
The Vet Behaviour Team can help. Your dog or cat is trying to tell you something. We are here to translate by filling in the blanks of why your pet is behaving the way they are.
Our passion is to use current scientific understanding and kindness to help you and your pet live happy, harmonious lives.
Who We Are
The Vet Behaviour Team consists of Dr Heather Chee, Dr Amanda Cole and Dr Caitlin McQuarrie. We have over 25 years of combined experience. We both completed our Memberships in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine whilst working as “regular” veterinarians.
So what does that mean? In the human sense, it means we are like your GP and psychiatrist rolled into one. We know all about your animal’s body and how it is intimately linked to its mind. As VBT is all about behaviour, we will let your own GP vet take care of all your animals physical needs, whilst we take care of its emotional ones.
We first formed a team together heading the Veterinary Behaviour Component of RSPCA NSW in 2013 working regionally to help animals within shelters lead happier and healthier lives. It was during this time we both were made acutely aware of the crippling effect mental disease has on an animal and their human families. So we decided to get proactive by forming Vet Behaviour Team consultants to help families and their pets remain united, happy and healthy for as long as possible.
We are pleased to have Dr Caitlin McQuarrie join us in 2023. She has completed the CVE course in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine and is sitting for her Membership examinations this year.
Dr Heather Chee is on the Australian Veterinary Palliative Care Advisory Council, was Secretary/Treasurer of the Veterinary Behaviour Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and has been an examiner for the Veterinary Behaviour Memberships. Dr Amanda Cole has served as President Elect of the Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group.
We have presented for the:
- Vet Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA)
- Australian Veterinary Association Conference 2015
- Australian Veterinary Behaviour Interest Group (AVBIG)
- Science Week, the annual conference for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists www.anzcvs.org.au
Our webinars on Anxiety, Fears and Phobias for trainers and vets from Polite Pets Month are available free to AVA members: www.ava.com.au

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