Did you know, emotional and mental health disorders in animals are often not recognised? Just like people, one in five dogs suffers from an anxiety disorder. But, as animals can’t tell us how they feel (at least, not verbally!), we‘re here to help pet owners understand their pet’s behaviour and the ways they communicate. By improving pets’ mental health and wellbeing, we help them become the most paw-fect versions of themselves—pure and simple!
Dr Karen Kam BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)
Resident - American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Resident - European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine
Karen graduated from the University of Queensland as a veterinarian in 2016. Having two anxious rescue dogs herself, her passion for becoming an advocate of animal mental health and welfare grew. While working in general practices, she enrolled in a postgraduate course in behavioural medicine through the University of Sydney’s Centre for Veterinary Education. She later became a Member of the ANZCVS (Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists) by examination in the Veterinary Behaviour Chapter.
She started BBV in 2021 with the goal to increase the awareness of mental health in pets and help families navigate the challenges of living with a pet with behavioural problems.
Karen is currently undertaking specialist training through the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavioural Medicine and, in a few years, will join the small number of registered specialists in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine in Australia.
Karen shares her home with her husband and two dogs, Rigby and Mia, as well as two cats and six fish.
Rigby’s life goals are to please his humans and eat (not in that order). His greatest fear is thunder and construction, and he thinks the sky is going to fall on him when the lightning hits. He is an elite nose work athlete, and the sniffing helps him calm his mind and think clearly. Rigby works in the logistics department at BBV, letting the staff know when deliveries arrive.
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Mia is the least loyal dog in the world—you could break into her home and she’d want to leave with you. She suffers from hip dysplasia, but since one’s been replaced with neat bionic parts, she is a much happier girl and loves to sit on the sofa and watch TV with her humans. As BBV's wellness officer, her role is to let the staff know when they need to take a break (to provide pats).
