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The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors

Excellence in Animal Behaviour & Welfare

About Us

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) is a network of friendly and professional practitioners who work alongside the vet-led team with a variety of species including dogs, cats, horses, small mammals, reptiles, birds and other animals. APBC members offer a variety of in-person and remote services (including internationally).

Full APBC members are qualified, assessed and regulated, having met the standards set out by the Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC), to promote animal welfare through training and behaviour change. Full members have a depth and breadth of skills, knowledge and experience, unrivalled within the animal behaviour industry.

The APBC also organises regular events aimed at owners, trainers, behaviourists and veterinary professionals.

The APBC Mission Statement

  • To be a forward thinking organisation and to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained, alongside the need to maintain safety for all involved.
  • To ensure our practitioners’ skills, knowledge and understanding remain current through the ABTC's requirements for continuing professional development.
  • To provide opportunities for members and other practitioners within the field to expand their skills and knowledge through vibrant, interactive and innovative events.
  • To provide a supportive and nourishing environment for the development of all members of the organisation.
  • To be a forward thinking organisation and to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained, alongside the need to maintain safety for all involved.
  • To ensure our practitioners’ skills, knowledge and understanding remain current through the regulatory body’s requirements for continuing professional development.
  • To provide opportunities for members and other practitioners within the field to expand their skills and knowledge through vibrant, interactive and innovative events.
  • To provide a supportive and nourishing environment for the development of all members of the organisation.
  • To provide opportunities for members and other practitioners to be aware of, and involved in, current developments and research in the field.
  • To provide evidence-based information, support and expert input for co-professionals including (but not limited to) the vet led team, social services, rescue organisations, legal professionals and many others.
  • To provide a body of practitioners which the veterinary profession can feel confident working alongside knowing the highest standards of animal welfare will always be the priority.
  • To provide a supportive and nourishing environment for the development of all members of the organisation.
  • To be a forward thinking organisation and to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained, alongside the need to maintain safety for all involved.
  • To ensure our practitioners’ skills, knowledge and understanding remain current through the regulatory body’s requirements for continuing professional development.

Meet the Board

Anne McBride

Chair

Anne is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council recognised Clinical Animal Behaviourist. She has been practising since 1987. She was Director of the first UK University based course in the field of animal behaviour which ran at Southampton University from 1994 – 2015, where she still teaches and researches in the field of human-animal interactions.

Ingrid Haskal

Treasurer, Website and Admin Operations Manager

After many years in the event industry Ingrid decided to change course, go back to university and in 2012 qualified from Southampton as a Companion Animal Behaviour counsellor. Since 2012, Ingrid has worked with both dogs and cats but recently decided to specialise solely in separation related issues in dogs (or ‘separation anxiety’ as it is known to clients and vets).

Jane Williams

Applications and Assessments Officer, Finance Officer

Jane Williams completed the PG Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling at the University of Southampton, and a research MSc at the same institution. Her first degree is in Zoology from the University of Nottingham, and she has an M.A. in Education from the Open University. Jane is ABTC-registered as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), and an Animal Training Instructor (ATI).

Nicole Harris

Company Secretary, Applications and Assessments Officer

Nicole is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) and Animal Training Instructor (ATI). She lives on the Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire border with her husband and Cammy, the Golden Retriever. Nicole specialises in puppy training, behaviour and development, providing support and guidance to new owners on their puppy raising journey.

Amanda Campion

Complaints Manager, Community and Engagement Co-Chair

Amanda is an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) Registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist. Amanda specialises in everything feline from welfare, behaviour and education offering support and guidance to new cat parents with her “kitten kindergarten” and “happy cat” online courses.

Debbie Emmerson

Applications and Assessments Officer, ABTC Rep

Debbie is a Full member of the APBC and an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) with an MSc in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling. Although she works mostly with dogs and cats, she has a particular interest in rodents and strives to improve relationships between owners and their pets so that all parties can live contentedly together.

Emma Hatton

Veterinary Liason Officer

Emma is an ABTC registered Veterinary Behaviourist and recognised by the RCVS as an Advanced Practitioner in Companion Animal Behaviour. She has been working as a vet for 20 years, both in mixed and small animal practice. Throughout her career she has incorporated her interest in behaviour into her work and furthered her understanding through post-graduate study and practical experience.

Claire Haynes

Finance Officer

Claire is an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist and joined the Board in 2023. Claire has spent her entire career working in animal charities in behaviour operations roles, including managing and mentoring other behaviourists and working with a variety of species. She is incredibly passionate about promoting best possible welfare for animals and their owners / keepers.

Danielle Beck

Community and Engagement Officer, ABTC Rep

Danielle is an enthusiastic and passionate trauma informed clinical animal behaviourist and rehabilitation trainer. Danielle has the role of Webinar Program Organiser for the APBC, along with assisting in event planning and being one of the ABTC Representatives for the APBC.

Charlotte Kasner

Communications Coordinator

Charlotte Kasner retrained following a career as a professional performer, adding Advanced Diplomas in Canine and Feline Behaviour Management and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Animal Behaviour to an existing arts MA. She worked in veterinary practice for 6 years and is particularly interested in working with basal dog breeds.

Nikki McLeod

Community and Engagement Co-Chair

A crazy cat lady and self-confessed study geek, Nikki McLeod has been an RVN since 2000. With her fingers in many pies, she splits what little time she has between working as the Cat Advocate, consulting nurse and running a behavioural referral service for a small animal practice in Fife Scotland. Now on her third degree, Nikki loves to learn and pass on her knowledge, to veterinary peers and caregivers alike.

Lilly Harris

Support Groups Team Lead

Lilly’s first degree is in Applied Equine Behaviour, and Equine Science from University Centre Reaseheath. She has an MSc in Equine Behaviour, Performance and Training from University Centre Sparsholt, is an IMDTB accredited Canine Behaviourist, and has been working within equine and canine behaviour and training roles for over 15 years. Lilly is ABTC-registered as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB), and an Animal Training Instructor (ATI) with the ABTC and APDT. She has been an Associate member of the APBC since 2023 and a Full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors since 2026. She is currently responsible Academic Outreach. Lilly has been working in higher education, educating students and upcoming students in the field for 8 years. Lilly lives in Gloucester where she is the Programme Manager for University degrees focusing on Animal Behaviour and Training (Clinical), developing upcoming practitioners in the field across varied species.

Alex John

ABT Outreach Lead

Alex began her animal journey in 1998 as a student of Hartpury College. Gaining an HND in Animal Science, under the same degree, she completed a dissertation in Seahorse nutrition and behaviour. Whilst employed at a well-known dog charity, her passion for behaviour was sparked. In 2012, Alex left the charity to train as a Veterinary Nurse and has now been qualified as an RVN for the past 10 years. Alex is currently working towards her Full CAB assessment. She is passionate about supporting human animal dyad bond wherever possible, educating owners through veterinary clinics and empowering other veterinary nurses on their journey.

APBC Patrons

Cat Henstridge BVSc ESVPS Cert GP (SAM) MRCVS
The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors is excited to introduce Cat Henstridge as a patron to our esteemed organisation. An alumnus of Bristol Veterinary School, Cat has dedicated over 15 years to first opinion small animal practice, showcasing her expertise and passion for veterinary care. Known to many as “Cat The Vet”, she has a significant media presence, featuring in CBBC’s ‘The Pets Factor’ and making regular appearances on various TV and radio shows.
One of Cat’s clinical passions is client communication, cherishing the privilege of being a part of her patient’s lives from their initial vaccinations to their golden years. She is deeply committed to enhancing the understanding between pets and their owners, ensuring they share a fulfilling relationship and quality of life. Beyond her clinical endeavors, Cat actively engages with a broad audience through her social media platforms as ‘Cat The Vet’. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter or simply search for ‘Cat The Vet’ on all social media channels!
Cat shares her perspective on joining the APBC:
“I have a keen interest in animal behaviour and how it impacts their humans. However, the world of animal behaviour professionals is an unregulated one and without the proper training, knowledge, and understanding it is extremely easy to do more harm than good. I only recommend APBC registered behaviourists to my clients and I’m extremely pleased and proud to be working with the association as a patron.”
Dr James Greenwood BVSc MRCVS

The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors is thrilled to welcome Dr. James Greenwood as a patron. A practising small animal vet based in Bristol, James has over a decade of experience, treating a diverse range of animals from parrots and donkeys to dogs, horses, and even a 2-day-old baby elephant.

Originally from Yorkshire, James is not only known for his veterinary practice but also for his media presence. He is the resident vet on BBC One’s ‘Morning Live’ and has starred in the BAFTA-nominated children’s show ‘The Pets Factor’. James is a prolific writer, contributing to various publications, and his first book, ‘For the Love of Animals: Stories from my life as a vet’, was published in July 2023.

Beyond his professional achievements, James is a fervent advocate for animal welfare, conservation, mental health awareness, the veterinary profession, and LGBTQ equality.

James shares his thoughts on joining the APBC:
“I am absolutely delighted to act as patron for the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. Understanding animal behaviour is incredibly complex. When animals start to show challenges in their behaviour, having a trusted body like the APBC to call upon to provide exceptionally skilled behaviourists is incredibly reassuring for myself as a referring veterinarian. Knowing that those animals showing behavioural complexities will be addressed in the most appropriate manner to achieve the desired results, without compromising their welfare, stands absolutely in line with my own principles. I could not be more honoured to act as patron.”