Posts tagged "behaviorist"

What animal lover hasn't daydreamed about ditching their desk job and applying for a job at the zoo? Or at a doggy daycare? Or tracking gorillas in Africa? We sure have, but since most of us may never actually get to work with the animals we love, we thought we'd introduce you to a few people who do.

Name: Mieshelle Nagelschneider
Age: 39
Job: Cat Behaviorist, The Cat Behavior Clinic

How did you decide to become a cat behaviorist?
It all started when I was about four and living on our Oregon farm. I wanted to be Snow White -- not because of the prince, but because she could talk to animals! Throughout my childhood I surrounded myself with animals of every kind. By the time I graduated from high school I was a vet tech, and I began to realize that I understood animals' motivations and feelings almost instinctively. Before long, I was doing house calls for clients, solving behavioral problems and quickly becoming referred by vets all across the United States.

What is your training/educational background?
Close observation and self-study all my life, combined with coursework in psychology in Oregon and animal cognition at Harvard.

How long have you been working with cats?
About 20 years. I've helped literally thousands of cats.

Do you need to see a cat in person to treat it?
No. The cat owner can schedule a phone consultation online, and is then sent a feline behavior questionnaire to complete. During the phone consultation, I evaluate in depth the cat's history, current environment, and the nature of the behavior issue. Once the behavior issue is identified, I develop a customized three-part C.A.T. Plan, which the owner follows for 4 - 6 weeks. They then have a free follow-up with me. The behavioral methods are humane, drug-free, and lasting in their results. That's key. We have a very, very high rate of success.

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