Welcome to Insightful Animals

This is a place for anyone looking to create a happier and deeper relationship with their dog or and cat. And if you’re looking for hope, kindness, and science-based guidance to navigate behavioral challenges with your pet, we’ve got you covered!

Why this newsletter, now?

There’s a lot of great information on the internet on how to address companion animal behavior problems, but much gets lost in the noise of myths and misinformation. Frequently, preventable issues get exacerbated by out-of-date or misguided training techniques, and many animals suffer in silence with untreated illnesses that are written off as behavior problems.

Drawing from my 15+ year career in veterinary behavior, I'm writing this newsletter to share what I've learned—and continue to learn, about animal health and behavior. My goal is to empower you with scientific knowledge and kindness, helping you develop a deeper understanding of your pet as you work on behavior change.

Our community values at Insightful Animals are kindness, curiosity, and non-judgment. Managing pet behavioral issues can be challenging, and you may be feeling isolated, judged, shamed, frustrated, and worried about the future. You are not alone, and you are welcome to join this compassionate community of pet parents and pet professionals.

Why subscribe?

You’ll receive free:

• Regular newsletters to help you better understand your dog or cat's behavior:

  • We'll explore holistic approaches to behavioral concerns, such as The most important thing to do if your pet has a behavior problem and Could pain be the hidden cause of your pet’s behavior issues?

  • Translate veterinary and behavioral science into its practical applications, for example Active animals can still have pain and How cats use scent to communicate and connect

  • And share what we’re learning about the challenges pet parents face when caring for pets with special needs.

If you become a paid subscriber, you’ll also be able to:

• Comment and join a kind and thoughtful community of pet parents and pet professionals

• Get access to regular deep dives into the latest pet behavior research

• Join us monthly for live discussions where you can connect with our community, ask questions, and chat about dog and cat behavior

• And you will have my sincere gratitude for your support, which keeps this newsletter free for everyone.

Hi, I’m Dr. Kelly Ballantyne

I am a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist based in Chicago, IL, USA and the practice owner of Insight Animal Behavior Services. When I graduated from veterinary school, I had no plans to become a board-certified specialist. However, after discussing behavioral issues with clients so often in my role as a primary care veterinarian, I knew I needed to learn more. I started reading and attending all the continuing education I could about the science of animal behavior and behavior change, and I GOT HOOKED. Long story short, I started a veterinary behavior residency and left my gig as a primary care vet. Since then (almost 20 years now), I’ve been helping pet parents address the behavioral challenges in their dogs and cats as my full time job.

Join the community

Be part of a community of people who share your experiences. While living with pets with behavioral challenges can feel extremely isolating, I can absolutely guarantee you that you are not alone. Support this work with a subscription for the opportunity to participate in the comments section and join a community of pet parents going through similar experiences.

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