For many prospective clients, when I go through the process of how to book in, and clients hear the words "vet referral" they almost go "oh god! Another step...another hidden cost". Let's clear somethings up about the process, what it means and why it is so beneficial.
What is the vet referral?
The vet referral is a form filling exercise. I send you a form, with my bit already filled in, that you fill in and sign. You then send or take it into your vet to sign.
It then facilitates communication between me and your vet, and also allows us to share information like your dog's behaviour report and your dog's clinical/vet history.
How much does it cost?
Most vet practices will do this for free, it is not in their interest to charge you for this. Most of the time they want their clients to see experts and like to see referrals come through!
It really shouldn't cost anything....
Circumstances where you may end up with a vet needing to see you and therefore charging for a consultation/or to sign the form:
- If you are registering at a new practise in order to get your referral.
- you might do this if you previous vets have not been receptive to behaviourist intervention, acknowledgement of pain or if you don't feel heard by your vet.
- Sometimes vets may want to see you if it's been literal years or a very long period at least, since you were last seen by your vet.
Why do we do it?
Well... why would you go into something without all the information? Why would you trust a professional to do the full job, if they can't see all the facts?
With those questions in mind, the main thing that is missing for most other behaviourists, is that medical information.
Dogs can't talk....
And that is why the medical history speaks volumes. Say a dog can't be examined by the vet, but has a long history of ear infections.... and pile on top of that that they are becoming aggressive to other dogs and people and just want to be left alone.
How would we know to check the ears and put in place a long term treatment plan if we didn't have the opportunity to speak to your vets and read the clinical history?
It may include a small extra step to other behaviourists...but are other behaviourists being as thorough?