BVNA is pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new Learning Pathway in Behaviour, proudly partnered with the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC). Registrations are now open for the first cohort starting in June 2022.
In response to significant interest in animal behaviour amongst both BVNA members and the wider profession, this exciting new course has been developed to promote ‘fear free practice’ and ultimately to enhance animal welfare. RVNs are also ideally placed within the veterinary practice to provide advice and guidance to clients; their impact on animal welfare can therefore be significant and far-reaching.
The ABTC seek to promote humane practice in the training and behaviour therapy of animals and to lobby for improvements in animal welfare related to behaviour and training. The organisation has grown and developed into the only animal charity dedicated to improving animal welfare associated with training and behaviour therapy, establishing itself as a reliable source of professional advice, acknowledged by government and represents those organisations and practitioners who meet its exacting standards.
The Learning Pathway in Behaviour, covering canine and feline behaviour, provides 16+ hours of CPD and contains the following modules:
- Explaining Animal Learning
- Physiology, Emotion and Behaviour
- Avoiding Behaviour Problems
- In-Practice Aspects of Animal Behaviour
The Learning Pathway is aimed at RVNs who wish to improve or refresh their knowledge of animal behaviour, or who may be interested in embarking upon further, more advanced learning in animal behaviour in the future. However, whilst the course is written for and targeted at RVNs, we also welcome other veterinary professionals too – SVNs, veterinary/animal care assistants, veterinary surgeons and receptionists are all able to enrol. In addition, if you are a veterinary professional but are not currently working in clinical practice, you will be very welcome to enrol too.
Here’s what BVNA and ABTC have to say about this new Learning Pathway:
“The BVNA and ABTC Learning Pathway in Behaviour is a brilliant route for veterinary nurses to take and learn about the cross-over between their patient’s physical and mental health, which are intrinsically linked. The benefits for patient wellbeing are immense if the veterinary team has a better understanding of animal behaviour. Having more veterinary nurses interested in and learning about animal behaviour is vital to help maintain the welfare of their patients and improve the human-animal bond”.
- Alex Taylor RVN, BVNA President
“The ABTC is proud to have developed this excellent new on-line resource, alongside the BVNA, for veterinary nurses who have an interest in behaviour.
The potential impact of developing the understanding and awareness of veterinary nurses of evidence-based approaches to changing animal behaviour is enormous in terms of improved welfare.
Veterinary staff are an important source of information for clients, and potential clients, about animal training and behaviour and it is essential that the information provided should be humane using evidence-based approaches and techniques.
The interest in this new CPD opportunity has been tremendous, and we hope that many veterinary nurses take up this opportunity to take the first steps in developing their interest, knowledge and experience of pet behaviour and how that knowledge may be put to good use within the veterinary practice to provide a fear-free experience for patients.
This new Learning Pathway is a stepping stone for nurses who may want to study further to become behaviour professionals, in particular Animal Behaviour Technicians (ABT’s) within the suite of ABTC Practitioner roles. The ABTC team worked effectively and collaboratively with BVNA to produce this assessed course. The Learning Pathway in Behaviour launch in June 2022 is a cause of great celebration within ABTC as we realise just how huge an impact this Learning Pathway will have on animal welfare, both within the practice and beyond”.
- Harold Burrows, ABTC Chair and Jane Williams, ABTC Secretary
The course is designed to be as convenient as possible; delivered online using BVNA’s Moodle platform, with access on an on-demand basis. This means you can complete the course at your own pace, provided you complete the course requirements within the course timeframe of 3 months. The Learning Pathway is made up of webinars, interactive activities, reflections, and assessed via multiple choice questions (MCQs).
For more information about the course and to register, please visit the BVNA website
For more information about ABTC, please visit; www.abtc.org.uk.
