In a country where pets are cherished members of the family, few names in the veterinary world are as respected and recognised as Dr. Katrin Jahn. As the founder of German Veterinary Clinic in Abu Dhabi and the visionary behind Trinity Veterinary Behaviour, Dr. Katrin has carved a unique space in the field of veterinary behavioural medicine, becoming one of the few double board-certified specialists in the world.
Connector caught up with Dr. Katrin for an engaging conversation about her journey, the evolving world of animal psychiatry, and how pet parents in the UAE can better understand their furry companions.
From Horseback To Healing: A Childhood Calling
For Dr. Katrin, the dream of becoming a veterinarian was seeded early. “Like many vets, I knew from my teenage years that this was what I wanted to do”, Dr. Katrin says. Growing up around animals, riding horses, and immersed in the companionship they offered, the bond was natural and transformative.
Dr. Katrin was born in Germany and moved to London when she was just four, but later returned to Germany to embark on her educational journey. After obtaining her veterinary degree in Munich, she began her career in the UK before making the move to Abu Dhabi in 2006. “I fell in love with the city and the UAE’s sense of opportunity”, Dr. Katrin recalls. “There was this energy that anything was possible if you were ready to work hard and make a difference”. That energy led Dr. Katrin to open German Veterinary Clinic (GVC) in 2008, a decision that would shape the next chapter of her career and impact thousands of pets and pet-parents across the UAE.
Building A Practice With Purpose
What started as a high-standard veterinary clinic soon grew into a beacon of holistic pet care. In 2014, GVC became the first Gold Standard Cat Friendly Clinic in the Middle East, a milestone that reflected its commitment not just to physical health, but also to the emotional and mental well-being of pets.
“Most veterinary care historically focused only on physical health”, Dr. Katrin explains. “However, if a pet is stressed or fearful during a visit, that impacts their recovery, behaviour and even the owner’s willingness to bring them in for future care”.
Today, GVC is also the first Fear-Free Accredited Veterinary Practice and Zero Pain Practice in the region, an achievement that signals its pioneering approach in reducing anxiety, stress, and pain in animals.
Dr. Katrin’s pursuit, of both her passion and a purpose, did not stop at running a successful 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”.
From pets suffering from chronic 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.
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. 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”.
Dr. Katrin believes that the UAE has the potential to lead globally in progressive pet care. “The community here is so open to learning and growing”, Dr. Katrin says.
As awareness grows, so too does the opportunity to deepen our relationships with our pets, not just as companions, but as emotionally intelligent beings who thrive when treated with empathy, understanding, and love.
In the end, Dr. Katrin's story is not just about veterinary medicine or pet psychiatry, which are noble pursuits in themselves. It is also very much about compassion, connection and changing lives, one wagging tail or curious purr at a time. We look forward to seeing how Dr. Katrin and her team continues to drive innovation and change lives in the country.