VISION: IAABC is dedicated to becoming the premier international organization that represents the animal behavior consulting profession and strengthens and enhances animal-human relationships throughout the world.

MISSION: The IAABC Mission is to assist and educate owners and handlers of companion animals to prevent problems and to interrupt the cycle of inappropriate punishment, rejection, and euthanasia of animals with behavior problems that are resolvable. This mission is accomplished by providing state-of-the-art education and training to animal behavior professionals, so they can analyze, predict and resolve problem behaviors, and by advocating and promoting humane intervention.

CORE VALUES:

• Positive Regard: We believe that positive regard and respect for colleagues and clients are essential to advancing our profession and meeting the needs of animals with issues. As professionals, we are expected to treat others with respect, including those whose opinions and methodologies differ from our own.

• Humane Practices: We support humane methods and embrace the LIMA principle (Least Intrusive and Minimally Aversive interventions). We advocate for companion animals but do not support extreme positions or welcome activism that causes harm.

• Innovation: We believe in visionary thinking and progressive action to bring about positive change to animals and our profession. We will continually search for new ways to improve IAABCs efficiency and effectiveness so we can maximize its contribution to society. We support member creativity and innovation.

• Collaboration: We value our members as our primary human resource and asset in achieving IAABCs Vision and Mission. As leaders, we recognize that cooperation and exchanges of usable information between animal behavior consultants, clients and the allied professions is essential to our success.

• Integrity: As evidenced by the individual effort of each member to act as professionally, ethically, honestly and compassionately as possible under all circumstances.

THE PROFESSION:

Animal Behavior Consultants are professionals who are involved with the problems, needs and changing patterns of animal-owner relationships.

Animal Behavior Consultants may:

• Educate clients on ways to prevent behavior problems and enhance their relationship with companion animals

• Troubleshoot management strategies to facilitate living optimally with companion animals

• Make recommendations regarding behavior modification using state of the art methods grounded in behavioral science

• Facilitate referrals to other professionals such as veterinarians or trainers.

Animal Behavior Consultants have diverse backgrounds. Some Animal Behavior Consultants are also professional human healthcare providers, teachers, counselors, social workers, family therapists, psychologists, applied behavior analysts, animal trainers, veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and applied animal behaviorists.

In human healthcare, many professionals from various disciplines are available to help clients in need, including counselors, social workers, family therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. Each of these professionals is qualified to provide a unique perspective on problems. These professionals may work independently or may collaborate depending on the individual client or client system’s need. Similarly, in the case of animal behavior, Animal Behavior Consultants may work independently or may collaborate with other professionals when necessary.

Animal Behavior Consultants are aware of laws in their states governing the practice of veterinary medicine. Animal Behavior Consultant are not to practice veterinary medicine without a license and do engage in dialogue with the allied professions to identify appropriate and sensible professional boundaries. Animal behavior consultants fight for the right to practice at the height of their capabilities.

Animal Behavior Consultants are required to demonstrate competency in five core areas including assessment and intervention strategies, counseling skills and social systems assessment, behavioral science, knowledge of animal behavior, and species-specific knowledge in order to obtain certification through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. The field of Animal Behavior Consulting is growing and as a result, the IAABC is continually revising and improving upon its programs to meet this need.