CONNECTOR.AE 62 CONNECTOR.AE 63 LIFESTYLE LIFESTYLE clinic. Over time, she became increasingly passionate about what she calls the ‘missing piece’ in animal healthcare. The missing piece was behavioural medicine, or what many now refer to as veterinary psychiatry. “It’s a field that has really come into focus over the last 10 years”, Dr. Katrin explains. “We have started to understand just how much emotional and mental well-being impacts a pet’s physical health and behaviour”. Frompets suffering fromchronic anxiety, phobias or aggression, to those exhibiting signs of trauma or chronic pain, her work is about identifying and treating the root causes. And it’s not just about calming them down, it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive emotionally. Introducing Trinity Veterinary Behaviour To reach more pet owners and pet-care professionals globally, Dr. Katrin launched Trinity Veterinary Behaviour, an online educational platform and virtual consultation hub. “It’s designed to empower both pet parents and other professionals with science-based tools and insights into animal behaviour”, Dr. Katrin says. With resources like the ‘Learn to Speak Dog’ and ‘Learn to Speak Cat’ courses, Trinity focusses on everything from recognising pain and anxiety to using environmental enrichment and training methods that nurture trust and connection. Its success, she believes, is a testament to the UAE’s forward-thinking pet community. “The openness and receptivity to new ideas here have been amazing. People in the UAE truly want the best for their pets”, Dr. Katrin insists. Championing The Human-Animal Bond There’s no doubt that pets offer comfort, routine, and emotional support to their owners. But what happens when a pet’s behavioural issues put strain on that bond? “That’s where behavioural medicine becomes vital”, says Dr. Katrin. “When a pet is suffering emotionally, it can lead to behaviours that strain their relationship with their family. Our job is to heal that relationship, on both sides”. Through her podcast, The Pet Behaviour Chat, Dr. Katrin shares stories from pet owners navigating these complex journeys, stories of struggle, growth, and ultimately, connection. The podcast is also about showing people that they’re not alone, and that help is available. ‘‘The openness and receptivity to new ideas here have been amazing. People in the UAE truly want the best for their pets” “Our pets thrive on trust, not fear. Dominance-based training increases anxiety and damages the human-animal bond” As an example, Dr. Katrin points to outdated ‘alpha’ theories that encourage dominance and rank-reduction based methods, particularly with dogs, as being not only ineffective but harmful to the pets’ emotional and mental well being. “These theories were based on outdated wolf studies and don’t reflect how dogs actually live in social groups, which is more fluid and non-linear”, Dr. Katrin says. “Our pets thrive on trust, not fear. Dominance-based training increases anxiety and damages the human-animal bond”. Instead, her approach is grounded in compassionate, science-based practices that foster mutual understanding between pets and their caregivers. What’s Next? With her practice, online platform, podcast, and plans to open a dedicated pain clinic, Dr. Katrin shows no signs of slowing down. The goal, Dr. Katrin says, is to grow, and to continue raising awareness and improving lives for both pets and their people. “Whether in the UAE or around the world, we want to see every pet treated as a whole being, with mental, emotional and physical needs all addressed equally”. Another key impact of her podcasts and educational platforms is in dispelling some common misunderstandings regarding pet healthcare or the human-pet dynamics. One of the most pervasive issues Dr. Katrin is trying to tackle is misinformation, especially when it comes to training philosophies.
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