Vet referrals

In the UK a clinical animal behaviourist normally takes a behaviour case on veterinary referral. Two reasons, both good: pain and illness cause a great deal of what looks like behaviour, and most indemnity cover expects the referral to exist.

The awkward part is the chasing

The owner asks their vet, the vet sends something, and three weeks later nobody remembers whether it arrived. This tracks requested, chased, received or declined, with dates — and starts nagging at a fortnight.

It talks to the incident log

A dog with a level-three incident and no referral in is called out on its own record.

FAQ

What if the vet declines?
Record that too. It is a legitimate outcome and you want the trail either way.

Do I need one for basic obedience?
No. This is for behaviour cases — aggression, severe anxiety, compulsive behaviour. Puppy class does not need a referral.