The Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians are delighted to be able to invite you to our inaugural annual conference on the 22 May 2021. We have an outstanding line up of internationally recognised experts in the field of animal behaviour who will be speaking on our conference topic of “Post Covid and beyond!”
Bookings open now – click here to visit the Events Page and book your ticket
Itinerary

9.30 Welcome
Loni Loftus

9.50 Seeking
Rachel Casey

10.55 Fear/Anxiety
Jon Bowen

12.00 Morning Speaker Panel
Rachel Casey and Jon Bowen

12.30 Lunch

13.15 Frustration
Helen Zulch

14.20 - Grief/Loss
Daniel Mills

15.20 - Coffee Break

16.30 Afternoon Speaker Panel
Helen Zulch, Daniel Mills and Sarah Heath

17.00 Conference Close
Loni Loftus
Information
Please select an item from the Itinerary to view more information
Ticket Prices
Early Bird (limited number) – £45
Student / Member – £65
Non-member – £85
CPD
Eligible for 7 CEUs (IAABC)
9.30 Welcome
Loni Loftus BSc (Hons) MSc PGAed CCAB – Events Subcommittee Chair, FAB Clinicians
Conference welcome and introduction.
9.50 Seeking
Rachel Casey – Director of Canine Behaviour and Research, Dogs Trust
One of the most basic and important systems of the brain is the one which allows animals to search for, find, and acquire all the resources needed for survival. The affective neuroscience researcher Jaak Panksepp termed this the ‘Seeking’ system, the activation of which leads to approach behaviours, but also sensation of the positive emotional states associated with anticipation or excitement. Whilst animals engaged in ‘seeking’ would be regarded as being in a positive state, some resulting behaviours are not necessarily compatible with living in human environments, and inability to show learnt or rewarded behaviours can result in frustration.
This talk will introduce some theoretical background from neuroscience which helps understand the concept of ‘seeking’, before discussing how the behavioural consequences can lead to problems for our companion animal species living in human controlled environments – particularly when we and our animals are in an enforced lock down! The presentation includes insights on the importance of appropriately encouraging and directing appetitive behaviours to avoid the development of behaviours that are often regarded as undesirable. Finally, the talk will give examples of where abnormal or apparently functionless behaviours can arise for animals in sub-optimal environments.
10.55 Fear/Anxiety
John Bowen – Behaviour Consultant, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, RCVS
12.00 Morning Speaker Panel
Rachel Casey & Jon Bowen
Join our morning’s speakers for a live discussion panel
12.30 Lunch And Breakout Rooms
13.15 Frustration
Helen Zulch – Head of Professional Development in Canine Behaviour, Dogs Trust
Frustration, the emotion which we typically experience when we feel thwarted from achieving something of importance to us, can serve a useful purpose. In terms of an animal’s survival, it can be the driver to persist and strive to obtain something which is necessary for life. However, it is generally described as a negative emotion due to both the discomfort which an individual experiencing it feels, and the risk of negative behaviours arising from it, for example aggressive responses. It is generally accepted that an animal experiencing severe, prolonged or repeated bouts of frustration is in a negative emotional state and that this needs to be addressed.
This talk will briefly discuss frustration as an emotional state from a theoretical perspective, before examining the sort of situations which are likely to trigger frustration in some of our companion animal species and how it is likely to be manifest. Finally, the importance of recognising this as a differential for a behaviour presentation and what this means for both treatment and prevention strategies will be covered.
14.20 Grief/Loss in companion animals
Professor Daniel S. Mills – Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of Lincoln
As the pressures of lockdown hopefully ease, understanding the role of grief and importance of safe havens and secure bases to the animals we share our lives with can be critical to ensuring a comfortable transition to the new normal. I would like to suggest that doing this is perhaps the least we should do for them given the emotional support they have given us in this difficult time.
15.20 Coffee Break
16.30 Afternoon Speaker Panel
Helen Zulch, Daniel Mills & Sarah Heath
An opportunity to join the afternoon speakers for a live discussion panel.