Dr. Kyla Boas joined the Casselton Veterinary Service team in 2021 and began a residency with the American College of Veterinary Behavior in 2023.
Through her own anxious and reactive dogs, she has developed a love for understanding and managing behavior in pets. In her free time, she volunteers with animal shelters through community outreach programs and fosters dogs with medical needs, often encountering the behavioral challenges of a pet adapting to a new home. As such, Dr. Boas developed a special interest in the behavioral challenges of shelter pets before and after their transition to a new home.
She shares her home with her husband, four dogs (plus a foster dog or two), and four horses.
Our behavior team also includes a small group of skilled technicians and assistants who each have years of experience working with animals in a variety of settings. They may assist during your appointment to help engage your pet, practice skills, and guide you through basic training exercises.
What is a behavior consultation?
Behavior problems are often complex and can be influenced by the environment, genetics, health, and learning. To manage behavior concerns, most pets need a combination of medication, management, and training to be successful. Not every medication is appropriate for each patient or diagnosis, and some pets need a combination of medications. It can take time to find the right plan for your pet, but there are many options available to us.
When working with a veterinarian who has special training in behavior, we are able to bridge the gap between behavior and medicine, allowing us to use information from both to customize the best treatment plan for your pet.
Behavioral Issues We Address
- Aggression
- Destructive behaviors
- Fears, anxieties, and phobias
- Noise sensitivities
- Separation anxiety
- House soiling
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Compulsive disorders
- Life change preparation
- Behavior medication adjustments
- And much more
Our Priority
Our goal is to help you and your pet better understand each other and communicate, while providing support and resources as we manage your pet’s behavior.
What does an appointment look like?
The initial behavior consultation appointment will help us develop an understanding of your concerns and your pet’s behaviors. We will rule out potential medical causes and discuss what options will fit your pet best.
We have different appointment options available to help you prepare for changes in your lifestyle and home, to address behavior concerns, and to improve your pet’s quality of life.
Most behavior consultations require follow up appointments, including 4-8 weeks after the initial appointment, and every 6-12 months throughout the treatment of behavior concerns. If medications are prescribed, refills will not be available without recheck appointments.
Recommendations may include science-based training, management, additional diagnostics, and/or medications.
Appointment Types
Comprehensive Behavior Consultation
This consultation is appropriate for all types of behavior challenges, including separation anxiety, general anxiety, aggression, inappropriate urination, and more. Prior to this appointment, your full history form, medical records, videos, and detailed concerns will be reviewed. Potential diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment options will be discussed in detail. A personalized treatment plan will be developed, which may include management, behavior modification, medication, and a follow up plan.
The consultation fee includes the first recheck appointment.
Preparation Assessment
This consultation is to guide you through prevention or preparation of behavior changes in your pet. Puppies, kittens, or older pets who are nervous at the vet clinic may benefit from a treatment plan to teach cooperative skills with veterinary handling.
This assessment is also ideal for preparing to handle changes in the household such as adding a new pet to the home, combining pets from separate households, or welcoming a baby into your home. We can also help you through pre-adoption counseling, to discuss what type or age of pet may be best suited to your home.
Behavior Assessment
This appointment is only offered for current patients of Casselton Veterinary Service who meet certain qualifications. During the appointment, Dr. Boas will discuss your pet’s diagnosis and treatment options. Medication may be prescribed, if appropriate. In-depth management or behavior modification will not be discussed. Please note that medications alone are not enough to treat behavior concerns, and training is necessary to manage your pet’s concerns.
The goal of this assessment is to provide an introductory consultation for clients who are not able to schedule a comprehensive consultation. A full behavior consultation or additional recheck appointments may be required for continued care. This type of consultation is not appropriate for some behavior concerns that require an in-depth discussion and treatment.
Recheck Exams
An initial recheck appointment, offered virtually or in person, is generally recommended 4-8 weeks after your initial appointment. To ensure your pet is benefiting from medication and to continue receiving prescription refills, a recheck is required every 6 months, with an in person exam required at least yearly.
Contact Us to Schedule
If you are a veterinarian submitting a referral for your client, please fill out the following form: https://form.jotform.com/240116930807048
If you are an owner or trainer who would like to request a behavior appointment, please fill out the following form: https://form.jotform.com/241494433614153
If you have questions or would like more information, please email us at behavior@cassvetservice.com