The Animal Behavior Clinic is the finest resource to assist with your dog or cat's behavioral problem. The Animal Behavior Clinic is a veterinary behavioral practice limited to cats and dogs. Dr. Neilson is the only board-certified veterinary behaviorist practicing in Oregon.
Follow us
Services
Behavior problems can be dangerous, frustrating and can negatively impact quality of life for a pet as well as for their owner. The Animal Behavior Clinic (ABC) currently provides virtual consultations for canine and feline patients experiencing behavioral challenges. Initial assessments between our veterinarians and the pet(s) and owner(s) generally last ~90 minutes and involve collecting historical information, observing the pet(s), establishing a diagnosis, basic management and safety guidelines, and an outline of what treatment for these behaviors is likely to include.
Please allow us 1-2 business days after we receive your request to follow up with available appointment times and answer any questions you may have. If possible, review the information listed on the Services and FAQs tabs prior to contacting us to familiarize yourself with the services that we provide. Thank you for choosing the Animal Behavior Clinic for your pet's behavioral care!
If you would like to familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked, a sample form is included here for reference. Vet-to-Vet Phone Consultations - These consults are conducted between one of the Animal Behavior Clinic's veterinarians and an external veterinarian via phone to discuss possible treatment and/or medication strategies for their cases.
We are still providing patient care via virtual direct-to-client consults and vet-to-vet phone consults. We have suspended all in-person appointments until further notice, however, we remain committed to applying the same high standard of care we have always held to our expanding virtual services. And yes, our veterinarians ARE able to provide diagnostic assessments over video conference (see more on this below).
My work with Shams has been a daily practice and much like my yoga and meditation it has made me go into myself in order to more deeply understand my reactions and a little more about how the human psyche works. I do want to give a little plug to my husband Carl who has also had to learn many of the lessons, to the dog trainers that we have worked with and especially to Dr. Chris Pachel of the Animal Behavior Clinic, who was able to see the good in me even as I struggled with this very challenging dog.
Reviews (9)
Jana Patterson
Mar 12, 2021
I am a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA). I work with all types of behavior issues in dogs. When there are times that I think we need extra support, I refer to Dr Pierce at ABC. I attend sessions with my clients so I have worked with her in person. She is knowledgeable, kind and thoughtful. She follows up with a detailed report covering the appointment with her recommendations. Highly recommend!
Alaloa Z.
May 29, 2020
Courtney Engeseth
Jan 30, 2020
I'm so grateful to have found this place for my pup, Milo. They go above & beyond all expectations and TRULY care about animals. The staff are wonderful, kind, & knowledgeable. Dr. Pierce is very compassionate, listens to your concerns, & answers ANY questions you might have. She takes her times & never rushes. Thank you for treating us so well!
Andrea Potischman Food Blogger
Nov 02, 2019
Misleading consulting service. Referred to Dr. Pachel by two dog behaviorists regarding a situation we were having with our three small rescue dogs, whom we have had for years. We jumped through hoops for months for Dr. Pachel providing an extensive amount of information/vet and behaviorist reports-multiple submissions and follow up submissions. Calls were not returned, numerous weeks passed without contact, files were misplaced (not to mention fees paid) only for Dr. Pachel to in the end day say "he can not consult on this case" and we should "consult with someone local".
Truly unbelievable. Don't offer a consulting service if you won't consult. A waste of months, hope, energy and money. The worst part to me was how disappointed my children were, one of whom wants to be a vet behaviorist.
Truly unbelievable. Don't offer a consulting service if you won't consult. A waste of months, hope, energy and money. The worst part to me was how disappointed my children were, one of whom wants to be a vet behaviorist.
Kevin Hoy
Mar 27, 2019
Angela Willner
Mar 24, 2019
Daisy Grey and I were fortunate enough to find Dr. Pachel and his team last year. Daisy is a deaf Australian Shepherd mix that I rescued when she was 10 months old. Daisy was abused and neglected prior to being rescued. For years, we worked with our traditional vet, our holistic vet who managed her pain with acupuncture and natural treatment, and some wonderful trainers.
Everyone in Daisy's "entourage" helped her, but her fear based reactivity continued to grow. Her anxiety and fear based reactivity were leading to self destructive chewing, inability to walk in public near other dogs or people, and endless hours of obsessive shadow chasing at home. Her quality of life was lacking and I was at my wit's end. We were both miserable.
I have never re-homed a pet, but I started to wonder if I could provide Daisy what she needed to be safe and healthy. I even had trainers and vets recommend euthanasia. I was devastated and determined that there had to be another answer. Fortunately Dr. Pachel, Trainer Megan, and the whole team completely changed our lives. After a little over a year under Dr. Pachel's care Daisy is calm, confident, and happy.
She is left at home with freedom, no longer requiring a crate. We are able to walk in public safely near other dogs without any reactivity or concern. She takes weekly Nose Work classes free of any issues. We have even taken beach trips without a single concern. Dr. Pachel, Megan, and his team quite literally saved Daisy life. They have given us a quality of life I didn't know we could have with Daisy's reactivity.
There are no words to express how eternally grateful I am. Dr. Pachel, the trainers, and the staff will patiently treat the needs of your pet while also teaching you the tools to fully understand your pet's behavior, body language and needs. Trust the system and the treatment. I will confess early in the process I didn't understand how the activities and treatment would be beneficial; I couldn't have been more wrong.
I know the financial burden of the treatment can be daunting, but trust me it is worth every single penny spent. It takes time and consistency, but it will make a world of difference.
Everyone in Daisy's "entourage" helped her, but her fear based reactivity continued to grow. Her anxiety and fear based reactivity were leading to self destructive chewing, inability to walk in public near other dogs or people, and endless hours of obsessive shadow chasing at home. Her quality of life was lacking and I was at my wit's end. We were both miserable.
I have never re-homed a pet, but I started to wonder if I could provide Daisy what she needed to be safe and healthy. I even had trainers and vets recommend euthanasia. I was devastated and determined that there had to be another answer. Fortunately Dr. Pachel, Trainer Megan, and the whole team completely changed our lives. After a little over a year under Dr. Pachel's care Daisy is calm, confident, and happy.
She is left at home with freedom, no longer requiring a crate. We are able to walk in public safely near other dogs without any reactivity or concern. She takes weekly Nose Work classes free of any issues. We have even taken beach trips without a single concern. Dr. Pachel, Megan, and his team quite literally saved Daisy life. They have given us a quality of life I didn't know we could have with Daisy's reactivity.
There are no words to express how eternally grateful I am. Dr. Pachel, the trainers, and the staff will patiently treat the needs of your pet while also teaching you the tools to fully understand your pet's behavior, body language and needs. Trust the system and the treatment. I will confess early in the process I didn't understand how the activities and treatment would be beneficial; I couldn't have been more wrong.
I know the financial burden of the treatment can be daunting, but trust me it is worth every single penny spent. It takes time and consistency, but it will make a world of difference.
Carla Kay
Feb 01, 2018
Kimberly Barron
Oct 30, 2016
Alayson Phelps
Feb 24, 2015
Full disclosure. I am also a veterinarian. Dr. Pachel and his team are a valuable resource for any pet owner dealing with behavior issues for the past 1 & 1/2 years I have personally used his services for my adopted dog with a list of issues. Having an animal with behavior issues is like a roller coaster at times and the Portland Metro area is lucky to have a board certified veterinary behaviorist (there are only TWO practicing clinical behaviorists in OR & WA) to provide expert advice as well as provide owners with resources and APPROPRIATE local trainers that are all instrumental in a behavior modification program. Yes, it may take a while to get an appointment and his expertise is matched by an appropriate fee, but Dr. Pachel's (as well as his technicians) consultation, treatment plans, and communication are top-notch.
I do not hesitate to recommend my own clients to the Animal Behavior Clinic. For anyone who has a behaviorally challenging pet, there is often no quick miraculous fix (any person claiming that they can cure an animal of a serious behavior problem, IMHO, is setting an owner up for potential disaster). Managing a pet with behavior issues is an investment of time, resources, and money in order to get the best results and hopefully allow that pet to become thriving member of a family. Unfortunately, not every behavior case will have a happy ending, and Dr. Pachel's recommendations and support in situations like these are invaluable.
I do not hesitate to recommend my own clients to the Animal Behavior Clinic. For anyone who has a behaviorally challenging pet, there is often no quick miraculous fix (any person claiming that they can cure an animal of a serious behavior problem, IMHO, is setting an owner up for potential disaster). Managing a pet with behavior issues is an investment of time, resources, and money in order to get the best results and hopefully allow that pet to become thriving member of a family. Unfortunately, not every behavior case will have a happy ending, and Dr. Pachel's recommendations and support in situations like these are invaluable.
