Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

ashleywong · Joined: 25 Sep 2007 Posts: 80 Location: Tmn Desa, KL

Dear all Drs

i've always been keen on working with animals and/or helping them. I know i don't hv what it takes to be vet. Lately i read that there's a vocation known as animal pyschologist / animal behaviorist.

i'd appreciate if anyone can tell me what are the course/certification i need to have in order to qualify as one?

from my own experience with my own cats/dogs , from lurking in this forum and also from discussion with my friends, colleagues and associates, i noted that there are lots of misperception, misconception and misunderstanding concerning animal behaviours and take a strong dislike to animals due to their ignorance or maybe they just mistakenly 'Judge" an animal based on expectation of behaviour according to human standards and therefore hold the said animal to be lacking or difficult - thus these animals end up as victim of human's ignorance.

if i can help, i'd like to help.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Hi Ashley,
You're right indeed. There are many people who misunderstand their own pets. And we definitely need more pet bahaviorists around here.

However, there are no special accreditation for our country. There may be a few out there who calls themselves expert, but I'm unsure how they base that. I myself am not sure where you can study this course or where to get accreditation. If I come accross any more information, I'll be sure to post it here.

Meanwhile, I found this online:
http://www.animalbehavior.org/

acsyen · Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 87

I think there's a course for animal behavior in Australia. It's going to be long hard work. I think you should start with volunteering out in PAWS/SPCA and see how you want to solve the problem of a problematic dog be it aggression or fear and many more. Take it as a form of experience before you venture into this.