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Visits to the veterinary practice can be stressful for both patients and clients as well as for practice staff. Fractious behaviour is an indicator of emotional challenge for the patient and can increase the potential for human injury. In order to deal effectively with behaviourally challenging patients it is essential to consider the veterinary visit from the animal’s perspective and to learn how to anticipate and prevent potentially harmful situations. In many cases a behaviourally aware approach can reduce the potential for conflict but veterinary practice staff will also need to select appropriate strategies for dealing with the more challenging patients, in a way that safeguards the safety of the owner and the veterinary team but also ensures the welfare of the patient that has been committed to their care. Sarah qualified from Bristol University and spent four years in mixed general practice before setting up Behavioural Referrals Veterinary Practice in 1992. She is an RCVS and European Veterinary Specialist in Behavioural Medicine. Sarah is an External Lecturer in small animal behavioural medicine at Liverpool University and a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist under the ASAB accreditation scheme. She sees clinical cases across North West England. In 2002 Sarah became a Founding Diplomate of the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine (formerly the ECVBM-CA) and served as President from 2002 to 2008. She is currently Treasurer of the College. Sarah has a special interest in the interplay between behaviour and physical illness in dogs and cats and particularly in the role of pain. Sarah promotes the recognition of emotional health issues in companion animals and the role of the veterinary profession in safeguarding the welfare of animals in this context. She lectures extensively at home and abroad on behavioural topics and is an author, co-author and editor of several books including Behavioural Medicine for Small Animals and Feline Behavioural Health and Welfare, both published by Elsevier.

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