Veterinary Behaviourist Case Reviews
Extra medical and behavioural expertise for your pet’s plan, without another home visit
Sometimes a small part of a behaviour case needs a second pair of expert eyes, for example when pain, a medical condition or medication might be playing a part. A Veterinary Behaviourist is both a qualified vet and a behaviourist. In a case review, one of our Veterinary Behaviourists (below) looks at your pet’s case alongside your Clinical Animal Behaviourist and advises your own vet.
When a case review can help
- Your behaviourist suspects pain or another medical problem may be affecting your pet’s behaviour.
- Your vet would like advice on whether medication could help, or on changing a current medication.
- Progress has stalled and a fresh clinical view would help decide the next steps.
How it works
- Your vet gives consent. We ask your vet to agree to a Veterinary Behaviourist being involved and to send your pet’s latest clinical history and any test results.
- The Veterinary Behaviourist reviews the case. They read the clinical history and our behaviour reports, plus any videos, diaries or questionnaires we ask you for.
- Our behaviourists talk it through. Your Clinical Animal Behaviourist discusses your pet with the Veterinary Behaviourist by video call for up to an hour. You don’t need to attend.
- Your vet receives a written report. It includes any suggested changes to the behaviour plan, such as possible medication or further tests.
- Your vet decides the next steps. Your vet stays in charge of your pet’s medical care, emergency care and any prescriptions. We then put the advice into practice with you.
The Veterinary Behaviourist works remotely, so they cannot examine your pet or make a diagnosis. Their advice is based on the case records. If it becomes clear your pet would be better fully referred to a Veterinary Behaviourist, we will explain your options and pass on all the case documents.
Our Veterinary Behaviourists
Our Veterinary Behaviourists are qualified vets with further training in behavioural medicine. Tap a name to read more.
Hannah Dawes, BVetMed PGDip ABTC-VB MRCVS
Veterinary Behaviourist, Clinical Lead
Hannah is a Veterinary Surgeon who graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2008 and has worked in companion animal general practice ever since. She works part-time at a veterinary surgery in Stourbridge. She has a General Practitioner certificate in Small Animal Medicine and a postgraduate diploma in clinical animal behaviour from the University of Edinburgh. Hannah is a registered ABTC Veterinary Behaviourist.
Hannah is passionate about improving pets’ mental health, as well as their physical health, and is particularly interested in the effect of medical conditions on behaviour. She is a Full Member of APBC and a Candidate Member of FAB Clinicians. When she is not helping other people with their pets, she is looking after her own dog, “Noodle”.
Beverley Wilson, BVMedSci BVM BVS (Hons) PgC(SAM) GPCert(SAM) MSc AFHEA CCAB MRCVS
Veterinary Behaviourist
Beverley is a veterinary surgeon who graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2012. She has a certificate in small animal medicine and a master’s degree in clinical animal behaviour. She is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Companion Animal Behaviour and a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist.
Beverley is undertaking a PhD exploring how to differentiate fear and frustration in dogs, while continuing to work in general practice in her spare time.
Hannah McNicholas, BVSc MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Behaviourist
Hannah graduated from Edinburgh University with a distinction for her MSc in Clinical Animal Behaviour. She has worked in general practice for over 30 years and started her own behaviour practice in Wiltshire. She joined Second Nature in 2025, supporting our canine cases remotely and our referring practices.
Hannah is an active Candidate Member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians and is currently working towards independent CCAB accreditation. Hannah has fantastic practical animal training skills and is also a proud Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CPA).
Hannah’s passion for helping animals with behavioural challenges started several years ago when her own miniature schnauzer began to display aggressive behaviours as the first indicator of a spinal disorder. This personal experience made her very aware of how medical conditions can impact behaviour and that, as with people, mental and physical health are closely linked.
Emma Baker, BVetMed MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Behaviourist
Emma graduated from the RVC in 2005 and worked in mixed practice for 5 years. She spent the next 7 years at the PDSA where she developed an interest in surgery, but also studied for her MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour. Emma is now working in a first-opinion small animal hospital, and as part of her role, she sees behaviour cases for the hospital, as well as for Second Nature Behaviour.
Emma is an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Companion Animal Behaviour. She is currently gaining the necessary case portfolio to apply for her CCAB accreditation in dogs.
Cost and insurance
A case review is not part of our standard consultations. The initial review is £240 (including VAT), and any further Veterinary Behaviourist support is charged at £240 per hour. Many pet insurance policies cover behaviour treatment, and we accept direct claims from select insurers.
Read the full key facts for Veterinary Behaviourist case reviews, including how to prepare, safety information and payment terms.
Ask about a case review
Already working with us? Speak to your behaviourist.