Behaviour may be a topic that conjures up dread but it doesn’t have to be. The science of dog and cat cognition, neurodevelopment, personality and welfare is progressing at a rapid rate and it can be hard to stay up to date with the ways that this should be changing how we work. In this talk, we will delve into 10 practical things that you can do in practice to support your patients’ mental and emotional health, make things safer for you and your team, and turn tucked tails and hisses into wags and purrs.

About our Speaker:

Dr Aileen Pypers is the owner of Pets at Play Veterinary Behaviour Consultancy in the Western Cape which receives referrals from veterinarians and behaviourists throughout South Africa.
Aileen graduated as a veterinarian in 2010 from the University of Pretoria and completed an honours level module in clinical behaviour medicine in 2013. She also has a Diploma in Higher Education from Stellenbosch University (2018) and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law through Edinburgh University (2023).
She worked as a state veterinarian for over 7 years, has served on animal behaviour and welfare committees of the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA), currently serves on the management committee of the Cart Horse Protection Association, and is a member of the Cape Animal Welfare Forum.
Aileen does consulting work for Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Humane Society International, has served as an expert witness on several dog bite legal cases, and advises on dog behaviour for several animal welfare organisations.
She has a passion for teaching and has spoken on behavioural medicine and animal welfare topics at multiple conferences and CPD events. She has also done guest lectures on animal welfare, behaviour and one health at the Universities of Pretoria and Stellenbosch.