petsimonials

Helios

Helios is a 7-year-old domestic short hair that I picked up off the street when he was approximately 3 months old. He’s been a wonderful love-bug and massively cuddly. He mostly gets along with my two other cats. However, when he was about 5-years old (after I had moved to a new place with a new roommate), he started urinating in inappropriate places (the couch, my bed – while I sleeping in it!, piles of laundry, and my shoes). He was still friendly and affectionate with me, but sometimes would pick fights with the other cats. I had tried extra play time, extra litter boxes, adding cat trees, adding extra feeding/watering stations, and still had trouble with this! I just accepted that my apartment was going to smell like cat pee, since giving him up to a shelter was not an option.

I took him to the vet for his annual check up and was referred to Dr. Malamed for more behavioral help due to the lack of a medical reason for the inappropriate urination. Dr. Malamed was very thourough in her assessment of Helios to make sure she had a good medical and behavioral history before she offered any interventions. Her positive energy was inspriring – it brought me hope that I could live differently. She helped me find some additional ways to help redirect him back to the litterbox, which has, for the most part been successful. He still “relapses” sometimes, but it is usually because I wasn’t as strict on the plan that Dr. Malamed had suggested and he can’t be blamed for that. With the help from Dr. Malamed, Helios and the other cats are happier, I’m happier, and guests like to come over since the apartment doesn’t smell like cat pee!

Cadyn

Matchka

I was about to consider putting my cat down or relinquishing him to a shelter due to severe aggression (he bit my nose which required 30 stitches). I’ve had many cats during my lifetime but had never had one that acted like this. I soon discovered that Matchka was having stress related issues and within 2 weeks of seeing Dr. Rachel Malamed and following her recommendations he became much calmer and relaxed. PLEASE make an appointment with a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist to identify why the cat is acting the way it does and what the issue is. You could not find a more caring, loving, intuitive, or knowledgeable Doctor than Dr. Malamed. If not for her and her expertise I may have gotten rid of Matchka and not be enjoying the tight bond I now have with my boy! And because of Dr. Malamed’s knowledge, the human/animal bond grows stronger with each passing day. All I can say is thank you so much Dr. Rachel! You are worth every penny!

Kelly Cheresnick

Ducky

There were no signs of abnormal behavior at the shelter, but it was clear after a few weeks in her new home that Ducky also had a rough start in life. All owners love to come home to a dog who greets you with excitement, but Ducky’s enthusiasm was frenzied and sometimes it took as long as an hour for her to settle. When I was home, she would follow me everywhere and appeared to panic as soon as I was out of sight.She became destructive when I left, even though she was always with my other dog. Having experience in dealing with difficult dogs, I figured that with a little effort I could help her. However, as I began to research separation anxiety, I was flooded with information and suggestions, much of which contradicted each other.

After months of trying everything without success and having friends and family urging me to relinquish Ducky, I turned to a veterinary behaviorist. I walked into Dr. Malamed’s office skeptical and with little hope that I would even be able to keep my dog, but left with a thorough plan of how to begin addressing Ducky’s separation anxiety. Although discouraged that this was my last chance to help Ducky, I was determined to do everything that Dr. Malamed suggested.

Two years later, I am happy to say that Ducky is still part of our family and can be left for extended periods of time. While Dr. Malamed’s protocol was key in modifying Ducky’s behavior, the support she gave to me during the process was equally important. Having a dog with behavioral problems is frequently overwhelming and sometimes embarrassing, and having a professional who not only knew what I was struggling with but also how to address it was essential. I cannot imagine my life without Ducky, both by my side and sleeping quietly alone on the couch at home when I am gone, and I will forever be grateful for the support and treatment plan that Dr. Malamed provided.

Hatley McMicking

Cowboy

I was impressed with Dr. Malamed even before I met her! Her credentials as a Veterinarian and board certified animal behaviorist were exactly what I was looking for. Extensive intake forms that I completed and returned before her home visit assured that she was going to know as much about my two kitties and the situation before her arrival. Dr. Malamed is kind, knowledgeable, and thorough. Before her home visit, one of my cats had an inappropriate urination problem, meaning that he was marking furniture and other things outside of his litter box on nearly a daily basis. I knew that Cowboy didn’t want to be a “bad” kitty, but I needed help understanding what to do about the problem.

Dr. Malamed made absolutely on target recommendations. The result of Dr. Malamed’s visit and care is that Cowboy’s marking outside the litter box has decreased from nearly every day to maybe once a month, and usually only during a particularly stressful time such as when I am out of town. Even then, he has only marked on one particular item that is easily washed. This has made for much greater peace in our household, for humans and felines alike!

One of the things that I really appreciate about Dr. Malamed is her willingness for follow-up care and recommendations. I really felt that she was always accessible and that she was monitoring Cowboy’s progress even after her visit. I really enjoyed working with Dr. Malamed. She has done a great job with Cowboy, and his behavior is MUCH improved!

Kim