08/31/2026
Some food for thought today. 🐾
As a trainer we do not provide medical advisories. But that may not always be entirely as clear or transparent as it sounds. We focus on behavior and categorizing what may be caused by behavioral or environmental issues. When we deduce those factors down to the unexplained, often the result is a potential medical issue. Many of us are trained in Pet First Aid and CPR on top of being familiar with normal signs or symptoms of potential issues. So how do we know the line when discussing potential medical considerations with our training client?
It is a thought provoking question which ultimately ends with a "it depends." If a client is having an immediate onset of cat urinary issues and it is a male cat, we may be more likely to recommend an emergency medical visit as the worst case scenario can be life threatening. Or if a client asks how to treat small scrapes, we may recommend purchasing a pet first aid kit that has an anti-septic spray followed up with a check at the vet if the scratch looks red or swollen.
No matter the knowledge or background of the trainer, first and foremost, we owe it to the client to express that we are not medically certified as a Veterinarian or a Veterinary Technician. Any information that we provide should be clarified as just that... It is information for the client to make the most educated decision they possibly can as they schedule veterinary treatment. We can (and should) lay out all of the indicators and potential symptoms for our clients to provide to their veterinary team. Often, our training plan notes can assist the veterinary team in getting to the root cause quickly and efficiently.
At Blue Isle, we are building our knowledge and education in Animal Care and Behavior. As we learn more, we can educate more, but we uphold our commitment to being a part of your pets wellness team. Between a groomer, a trainer, a veterinary team, and you (as the client), our goal should always remain centered on the health, safety, and happiness of a pet. We know our role and the roles of the wellness team. Let's continue to educate together in making sure our pets are well taken care of with the necessary skills that we each bring to the table. 💙
