Dr. Vanessa Spano's smart take on change

Imagine being responsible for 700+ cat and dog behavior cases.

Whoa - that’s a lot of pets!

For the average person, the sheer number of animals in need would be overwhelming. Even the most experienced veterinarians and the biggest pet lovers might find it challenging not to be flooded by this demand.

Yet somehow, Dr. Vanessa Spano manages to pull it off.

Currently, Dr. Vanessa is a Resident Veterinarian with the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) and an associate veterinarian with Behavior Vets of NYC. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology/Biological Science from Barnard College. In 2017, Spano completed her DVM at the prestigious Atlantic Veterinary College of the University of Prince Edward Island. This is widely considered to be the top vet school in Canada.

With so much talent and experience behind her, we are thrilled to have had an opportunity to talk with the remarkable Dr. Vanessa Spano.

When it comes to animal behavior, Dr. Vanessa has pets “on the brain”

As you probably know, some dog breeds are rarer than others. For example, you are unlikely to meet a Norwegian Lundehund or Otterhound when out for a walk around the neighborhood!

Similarly, some human professions are pretty rare, too. In fact, Dr. Vanessa serves as one of only a few behavior veterinarians to pets and shelter cats and dogs throughout the Greater NYC Area. This makes her skills very in demand. Being a behavior veterinarian, she is an expert at observing the behavior and body language of animals.

Why consult with somebody like Vanessa?

Oftentimes, “bad behavior” gets misdiagnosed. A dog who has accidents inside the house or a cat with destructive tendencies might be labelled naughty by their owners. However, as Dr. Spano knows, there is always an underlying cause for every behavior.

It’s her job to unravel these complex issues.

She explains, “It's my calling to advocate for the well-being of all animals. The best way to do this is to take care of them psychologically and give them their best quality of life. With advanced training in behavioral medicine in addition to my own experiences with anxiety, I am able to connect with my patients and their caretakers to enhance their welfare.”

In addition to this work, Dr. Vanessa has a passion for education. She is a Primary Investigator on veterinary behavior research projects and frequently presents at conferences, animal hospitals, universities, and education centers nationally on topics related to animal behavior and welfare.

Confused about why your pet is acting a certain way? Ask Dr. Spano!  

Looking for summer reading? Check out Dr. Vanessa’s publications

Summer is a wonderful time for reading. The days are long and the weather is perfect to sit outside with a good book.

If you are wanting to learn more about animal behavior, be sure to check out Dr. Vanessa’s many excellent publications. She is a regular contributor for media sources, including but not limited to The Dodo, Vet Candy, and Martha Stewart Living. On these outlets, she answers common questions like “Are choke collars bad for my dog?” and “Does my dog need a treadmill?”

Recently, Dr. Spano also became an author of a must-read eBook titled Pet Candy’s Guide to Dog Behavior: Why dogs misbehave and what to do about it (available on Amazon).

Vanessa shares, “It’s a great, quick resource to start navigating behavioral concerns in dogs.” Just like her book says, there is no such thing as a bad dog. Only a dog who needs help.

Thanks to Dr. Vanessa Spano and all the other veterinarian behaviorists for the work they do helping animals!