We understand that you may be asking yourself if this service is right for you? You have come to the right place if:

• Your primary care veterinarian or a trainer has told you that your pet's behavioral problems are outside the scope of his/her care or expertise.
  
• Your pet seems anxious or afraid.
• Your pet exhibits aggressive behavior.
• You are planning, expecting, or have a new baby. 
• You are worried about the safety of your family, other people, visitors to your home.
• Your pet has bitten or injured you, another person, or another pet.
  
• Your pet has destructive, self-injurious, or bizarre repetitive behaviors.
  
• Your pet is urinating or defecating in the house.
• You cannot leave your pet home alone.
• You have considered re-homing or euthanizing your pet based on his or her behavior.
  
• Something in your gut tells you that your pet's behavior is outside the norm of a happy, healthy dog or cat.

 If you are uncertain whether or not our services are right for your pet, please email us.

VETERINARY BEHAVIOR CONSULTATIONS AND FEES

NEW PATIENT CONSULTATION AND FIRST THERAPY SESSION PACKAGE - $650

• STEP ONE:  A Veterinary Behavior Consultation  This comprehensive consultation will be scheduled with Dr. Jokela and will last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. It will include the following:
  
  • A review of your pet's medical and behavioral history.  This includes information from:
    
    • A review of your pet's medical records from your primary care veterinarian
      
      
    • A written behavioral history questionnaire that you provide prior to the consultation
      
      
    • A discussion with you regarding your pet's behavior during the consultation
      
      
    • Videos of your pet's behavior that you provide prior to the consultation.  They can be sent by text to 219-781-6868 or by email to cvbehaviorconsultants@gmail.com
      
      (Note: please do not set your pet up to perform dangerous or aggressive behavior in order to obtain video. We do NOT need or want to see active aggression.  We learn more from videos that depict your pet's behavior in their environment and with their people on an ordinary day.)
  • Observation of your pet's behavior during the consultation Note: we do not need to see your pet perform aggressive behavior.  Our goal is to avoid putting your dog in situations that would trigger aggressive behavior. 
    
    
  • An explanation or your pet's behavioral diagnosis. You will learn why your pet's undesired behavior is happening and what causes it.
    
    
  • A discussion of any medical concerns that might be causing or exacerbating your pet’s behavior.  If there are medical concerns, recommendations for diagnostic testing and treatment through your primary care veterinarian or by a veterinary specialist will be made. 
    
    
  • Recommendations for safety management and prevention of dangerous behavior will be given.
    
    
  • If indicated, the benefits of behavioral medications will be discussed, including, how they work, their benefits, how they can improve a pet's quality of life, and any potential side effects. Written instructions will also be provided. 
    
    
  • Additional information and handouts will be emailed to you after your consult 
    

• PART TWO:  Your Pet's First Veterinary Behavior Therapy Session  
  Your pet's first behavior therapy session will last 60 to 90 minutes and is included in the new patient package.  These sessions will teach you the benefits of behavior therapy and how to implement the techniques to improve your life and relationship with your pet. Behavior therapy is NOT the same thing as obedience training. Behavior therapy helps with emotional disorders of anxiety, fear, aggression and repetitive or compulsive behavior. 
  
  Due to the severe nature of the behavioral disorders and conditions we treat, additional 45-60 minute behavior therapy sessions will be needed for successful treatment.  These additional therapy sessions will require additional fees.

• These are usually scheduled on a monthly basis, allowing you time to practice and implement what you learned before the next session. At each session your therapy trainer will troubleshoot and help solve any problems as well as teach new techniques.
  
  Additional therapy sessions will be discussed and scheduled by your behavior therapy trainer at the end of each session based on what your pet and your family need.

Charges for lab work, behavior equipment, behavior therapy training, and medication (if indicated) are additional.

Non-behavioral diagnostic procedures will be directed back to your primary care veterinarian, or to an another veterinary specialist if advanced diagnostics are indicated.

• For patients who have already had an initial consultation and follow up within the last 2 years, but continued care is needed, or new problems have arisen.
• Level II consultations last 30-60 minutes
• Medical and behavioral history and progress since the last consultation will be assessed.
• Additional diagnoses will be explained if indicated
• Additional treatment recommendations will be given.
• The need for additional follow up visits vary from case to case.
• If we have not seen your pet in over 2 years, starting over with a new patient consultation is required.