Qualified Veterinary Surgeon providing a professional referral service in canine behavioural medicine in Malta.
Using an evidence-based, ethical and understanding approach to support you and your dog in sharing a calm and enjoyable life.
CULTIVATING CALM MINDS
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CULTIVATING CALM MINDS •
As much as you love your dog, dealing with undesirable dog behaviour can be hard and overwhelming.
Behavioural problems can be stressful, tiring and may even leave you feeling bad for harbouring negative feelings towards your dog. As a dog caregiver and a veterinary surgeon, I have personally experienced the strain that behavioural issues can bring on the dog-caregiver relationship.
I understand how difficult it can be.
I am here to support you.
Trying to think of ways to address your dog’s behaviour problem can be draining, and it can be hard to know what best to do with the potentially conflicting behavioural advice that may be reaching you from different sources.
That is why I would like you to know that I am here to support you and your dog in building a strong relationship and finding happiness, together, once more.
I can help with…
Canine Behavioural and Mental Health Issues
Through the Behaviour Referral service, which includes behavioural assessment, diagnosis and a behavioural management plan, following referral by your regular veterinary surgeon.
Suitable for: dogs with existing behaviour and mental health issues e.g. fearful behaviour, problems with people, problems with dogs, problematic behaviour in caregiver absence, problems relating to attention-seeking, compulsive behaviour.
Behavioural Problem Prevention
Through the Puppy Education service, which provides clear guidance and support to you, the puppy caregiver, to help you raise a mentally and emotionally healthy dog.
Suitable for: prospective puppy caregivers; caregivers of puppies that are up to 4 months of age and want to give their puppies the best start in life.
“Maria’s professionalism is evident in every aspect of her work – she is meticulous and attentive to detail, ensuring that no aspect of her patients’ care is overlooked. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Maria Debono and her behaviour referral service.”
Dr Adrian Vella, Head Veterinary Surgeon at Quality Veterinary Clinics
Hello, I’m Maria!
I am a veterinary surgeon specialising in canine behavioural medicine, a pre-Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB), a candidate member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians (FABC) and a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Animal Behaviour at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).
As a vet, I have always believed that canine mental and behavioural health is as important for a dog’s welfare as physical health.
There cannot be optimal wellbeing if one is prioritised over the other.
All this has motivated me to set up a canine behavioural referral service that allows me to combine my training and expertise in veterinary and behavioural medicine, to provide you with an experience that is all-encompassing, ethical and positive.
“Maria’s professional work ethic is inspiring. She works tirelessly towards a set goal with foresight, timeliness and creativity, and does so whilst maintaining the most excellent relationship with her colleagues.”
Malcolm Borg, Director, Centre for Agriculture, Aquatics and Animal Sciences, MCAST
How Can I Help?
Get my support in 2 simple steps:
1
Choose the service you need.
Are you seeking support for an existing canine behavioural problem?
Then choose → BEHAVIOUR REFERRAL SERVICE
Are you a prospective puppy caregiver OR the caregiver of a puppy 4 months old or younger? Then choose → PUPPY EDUCATION SERVICE
Unsure about which service you need? Get in touch!
2
Set a consultation appointment.
For the Behaviour Referral service, I will be meeting you and your dog in-person, following referral by your primary veterinary surgeon, to gather information and assess the dog’s behaviour.
I will provide a behavioural diagnosis and develop a tailor-made and realistic behaviour modification plan to support you and your dog in reaching your goals towards a more enjoyable life.
For the Puppy Education service, I will meet you online to share my recommendations on behavioural problem prevention while providing evidence-based guidance and sharing valuable resources to get you and your puppy off to a great start.
