Canine Wellness Center, located at: 15876 N. 76th Street, Ste 120 Scottsdale, AZ 85260
New Clients
If you found this page you must be new! Below you will find information about my services and what to expect during your appointment, please read through all of it and let me know if you have any question!
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Fees below are provided for general informational purposes. A written estimate is provided to all new clients prior to your scheduled appointment. For new patients and all in-person visits, a deposit and signed estimate are required to secure your appointment time.
Initial Behavioral Evaluation
$595
+ $85/pet for additional involved pets
INCLUDES:
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A thorough review of prior medical records, lab work, and a comprehensive behavior questionnaire PRIOR to your scheduled appointment time.
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A physical evaluation of the pet, including visual examination and hands-on palpation dictated by your pet’s comfort level with handling.
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​In person discussion of your primary behavioral concerns and any other issues that arise from the provided history, as time allows. Please note that for pets with multiple behavior concerns, additional time for discussion may be required during follow-up sessions.
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An assessment of your pet’s diagnosis or differential diagnosis and prognosis.
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Recommendations for additional diagnostic evaluation where warranted.
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An initial treatment plan entailing management strategies, preliminary behavior modification, and medication where warranted.
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Two check-in questionnaires via email (weeks 2 and 4), with access to the doctor via text or email during business hours should concerns arise with the medication plan.
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A 30% discount off of initial 30 minute Telehealth recheck 6-8 weeks following the first appointment, if booked at the time of the initial appointment.
Typical length is 60-75 minutes, though this may vary somewhat for in-home evaluations.
An additional small housecall fee applies for locations greater than 8 miles from Ironwood Library, to cover travel expenses.
Recheck Consultations
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Available in-person or via Telehealth (depending upon your location), for up to 60 minutes in length.
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The frequency and length of recommended rechecks will vary depending upon your pet’s needs.
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In general, at least one recheck 6-8 weeks after your initial appointment is recommended, and every 6-12 months thereafter. In some cases, rechecks may be much more frequent.
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We are always happy to see you and your pet more frequently should you feel you need additional support. Conversely, if you are satisfied with the information you received from your initial appointment and prefer to obtain refills from your primary care veterinarian, we are happy to transfer care to them as well.
Vet-to-Vet Consultations
Are you interested in a consultation, but you live outside of our service area? Or, are you in need of behavioral help but unable to afford a comprehensive evaluation at this time?
In either case, we are able to work with your primary care veterinarian to help support you and your pet.
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In a vet-to-vet consultation, you submit your pet’s history, behavior questionnaire, and medical records to our office. Dr. Gerrish will consult directly with your primary care veterinarian to provide guidance on case management. Your primary care veterinarian will prescribe medications (if indicated) and recommendations for your pet, and you will follow up with your primary care veterinarian as needed. All communication will be between Dr. Gerrish and your veterinarian.
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If you are interested in this option, please contact your primary care veterinarian and have them reach out to our office for booking.
Additional Behavior Modification Support
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Dr. Gerrish can help provide referrals to trusted trainers in the area should you need additional hands-on support with your behavior modification plan. Even so, she feels it is important to equip her clients with the skill set to evaluate training methods for themselves, since clients may move and trainers may drift in their methods.
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In accordance with the preponderance of scientific evidence and the written statements of major veterinary and behavior organizations, we recommend exclusively employing humane training methods. This includes providing for the animal’s physical and emotional needs, employing rewards-based and force-free methods to modify behavior, and giving choices when we are able. We do not use or recommend force-based training or using punishment, fear, pain, or intimidation to modify dog behavior.
If you have used these methods before but want to change your relationship with your dog, we are here to help!
Please see the below resources for more information:
Preparing for your appointment
Although it may seem counterintuitive, Dr. Gerrish does not need to see your pet perform the concerning behavior in order to evaluate or provide treatment recommendations, nor does she advise instigating problem behaviors for the sake of demonstration. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, one of our goals for your pet is to minimize fear, anxiety, and stress. Many of the problem behaviors we see in companion animals arise out of one of these negative emotional states. Additionally, “practice makes perfect,” even when the behavior being performed may be undesirable. Dr. Gerrish feels strongly about believing her clients when they describe their pets’ behaviors, and is here to provide context and insight from her understanding of dog health and behavior. Ultimately, you know your pet best! If there are behaviors that are a source of particular concern or confusion for you, Dr. Gerrish is happy to review videos submitted prior to your appointment, provided they can be acquired safely and without undue stress to your pet. Please do not induce behaviors that could put you, your pet, or others at risk.
Prior to scheduling with Dr. Gerrish, it is recommended that you schedule a physical exam and lab work (complete blood count, chemistry, urinalysis, Valley Fever titer, +/- thyroid testing at your doctor’s discretion). We will reach out to your primary care veterinarian to send medical records and complete a referral form once you have scheduled your appointment. Please also indicate on your questionnaire if any other veterinary specialists have been seen, and we will request those records as well.
Dr. Gerrish is passionate about helping people and pets. As a medical professional, Dr. Gerrish is also governed by veterinary medical ethics and the state practice act. Our practice is not able to provide medical advice to patients who have not yet been evaluated, and regular rechecks are required in order to continue refilling medications, for your pet’s safety and wellbeing. We appreciate your understanding and are eager to assist you and your pet.
As Dr. Susan G. Friedman (animal applied behavior analysis guru) states, behavior is a study of one. For this reason, no guarantees can be made about the outcome of your pet’s treatment. Factors including your pet’s genetics, learning history, current environment, individual response to prescribed medications, and your own capacity for training and behavior modification can all impact your pet’s outcome. Dr. Gerrish is here to provide support and guidance as you work to improve your pet’s behavioral concerns, but cannot guarantee your desired outcome.
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Initial evaluations are available in-home and at Canine Wellness Center in Scottsdale.
Book Your Appointment
HOME VISITS
Prior to our arrival, please prepare your pet. Cats should be placed in a confined area (e.g. small room, bathroom, large dog crate) with the door closed, to avoid stress associated with removing them from hiding spots upon our arrival. Dogs should be placed behind a baby gate or on a short leash, and dogs with a history of ANY prior bites should be trained to wear a basket muzzle comfortably prior to your appointment (see attached resources). If you are struggling with this or are concerned you cannot do so safely, please reach out and we can discuss options to help safely conduct an evaluation. We are happy to help!
CANINE WELLNESS CENTER VISITS
We are pleased to offer consultations at Canine Wellness Center in Scottsdale! Canine Wellness Center provides comprehensive canine rehabilitation services in the Phoenix metropolitan area and shares our passion for supporting quality of life for pets and their people. If you are seeing Dr. Gerrish at the CWC location, please park in a space in front of the CWC sign and remain in your vehicle. Text our office to let us know when you have arrived, and we will bring you directly into the consultation room. CWC is located at 15876 N. 76th Street, Ste 120, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.