Membership Levels of the APBC & What They Mean

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors was founded in 1989 to promote and develop the profession of pet behaviour counselling and standardise the service provided.

It promotes Full Members as those who have achieved the appropriate standards in order to provide assurance to the veterinary profession wishing to refer cases and to the pet owning public.

It offers a network of specialist counsellors throughout the UK and internationally, to whom veterinarians can confidently refer clients.

In order for veterinarians to feel confident about referrals, members of the APBC have to have the highest professional standards, knowledge and expertise.

From October 2011, Full Membership of the APBC will be available for new applicants only after Certification as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB). This scheme has been developed for independent accreditation for pet behaviour counselling in the UK and is supported by the APBC.

Until October 2011, applications for Full membership continue under the old system, which involves a rigorous selection procedure to ensure that they meet the APBC’s stringent criteria.

In light of the growing number of academic courses in the field of companion animal behaviour and other biological sciences, coupled with the ever-increasing establishment of pet behaviour counselling as a profession, the Association offers three other tiers of membership, Student, Provisional and Academic. Student and Provisional membership levels complement progression towards CCAB, so that the APBC can support individuals undertaking this career path.

FULL MEMBERSHIP

Full members are practising behaviour counsellors who have achieved at least a higher degree level education in a relevant subject, obtained relevant practical experience and who have been in practice for a minimum of two years. In order to gain full membership the individual will have had four referenced case studies scrutinized by the application selection committee which is comprised of eight full members of the APBC). Full membership can also be gained by achieving ASAB certification. Many pet insurance companies cover, at least in part, fees charged by Full members.

PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Provisional membership is available for those who have achieved relevant academic accreditation to degree level or higher and are able to conduct behaviour consultations but have not yet achieved the requisite experience to become Full Members.

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP

Student membership is available for those who are in the process of achieving qualifications in companion animal behaviour counselling or a relevant science subject. Student membership can be held for 8 years by which time they must progress to Provisional membership.

ACADEMIC MEMBERSHIP

Academic Membership is open for those not in practice, but who are involved in research in Companion Animal Behaviour. Entry level is a minimum of MSc. Individuals are required to submit a research paper they have published in a peer-reviewed journal or provide confirmation of their position in a research department with their application.