Ep. 55 Medical and behaviour, can we separate them? With Dr. Èlise Christensen

In this episode, veterinary behaviourist Dr. Elise Christensen examines the role of underlying medical conditions in shaping animal behaviour within shelter environments. She discusses how pain, systemic illness, and stress-related physiological changes can manifest as behavioural concerns that are often misattributed to behaviour or training concerns. Emphasizing evidence-based assessment, Dr. Christensen underscores the importance of comprehensive medical evaluation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and informed behavioural interpretation. The discussion highlights behaviour as a critical indicator of health and welfare, with significant implications for clinical decision-making, risk assessment, and adoption outcomes in shelter medicine. About Dr. Elise Christensen Dr. C is a Cornell-trained veterinary behaviorist and every high school parent's nightmare: a pet psychiatrist. Brilliant, struggling animals are the only puzzles she wants to solve. If one of these Complex Pets is pushing you to the edge, you belong here. Her boutique veterinary behavior service blends the academic with the practical, helping families move from stuck to hopeful. So they can graduate faster. She lectures internationally to veterinarians, trainers, and shelter professionals, and partners with pediatricians and family doctors to help Amazing Pet People and their Complex Pets thrive together. Links https://www.drcvetbehavior.com/