Our Veterinary Behaviourists:

Dr Kersti Seksel

BVSc(Hons), MRCVS, MA(Hons), FACVSc(Animal Behaviour), Diplomate ACVB, CMAVA, Dip ECVBM-CA

Registered Veterinary Specialist, Behavioural Medicine

Kersti graduated in Veterinary Science from Sydney University and became very interested in animal behaviour whilst working overseas.  To further her knowledge, she went back to university, graduating from Macquarie University with a BA in Behavioural Sciences with a major in psychology.  In 1992 she began developing the program of Puppy Preschools^R in veterinary hospitals around Australia.  This led her to complete her MA (Hons) degree by thesis on the long and short term behavioural effects of puppy socialisation and training programs. 

She is a registered specialist in Animal Behaviour, one of only two Fellows of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Behaviour and the only Australian to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists.  She has studied at Cornell University, USA, University of Pennsylvania, USA, Guelph University, Canada and Queensland University, Australia and is a NSW Veterinary Surgeons Board registered Animal Behaviour Consultant.  In 1999 she spent 7 months on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, based in the Department of Clinical Studies, Animal Behaviour Clinic.

Kersti has presented at conferences and meetings in Australia, NZ, UK, Japan, China, Thailand, Europe and USA.  She currently teaches veterinary students at the University of Sydney, is the tutor in Behavioural Medicine for the Post Graduate Foundation in Veterinary Science in Australia, as well as regularly teaching veterinarians and veterinary students in the USA and China.  She has published numerous papers on animal behaviour in scientific journals, magazines and periodicals, and is a regular contributor to print and electronic media.  Currently she is a regular presenter on ABC radio on pet care and behaviour.  Her first book is entitled 'Training Your Cat' and another book is in the pipeline.

Dr Gaille Perry

BVSc, MACVSc(Animal Behaviour), PhD, DipEd, BedSt, Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace Training, CMAVA

Gaille graduated from the University of Queensland in 1970.  She then worked in her own mixed practice for 10 years.  During this time, her hobbies were showing, breeding and training Border Collies, Old English Sheepdogs and Arabian horses and she was an accredited horse show judge.  In 1982, she returned to university, gaining a DipEd that year and a BEdSt in 1983.

She was appointed as an Instrutor at TAFE that year, and since then, has taught animal behaviour and training to veterinary nurses, training class instructors, local laws officers, kennel and pet shop staff, service dog personnel and zookeepers.  In her present position as Principal Teacher, she manages courses in Veterinary Nursing, Companion Animal Services and Captive Animals.

Her interest in behaviour led to Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Behaviour in 1993 and a PhD in dog and cat behaviour in 1999.  Gaille began working in the behavioural practice at Seaforth in 1999.  She is Director of Studies for the Delta Society's Canine Good Citizen Instructor Course, which conducts accredited training for class instructors from all over Australia.  Gaille is the behaviour consultant to the RSPCA in Brisbane and a regular speaker at conferences and seminars in Australia and overseas.

A long time dog and cat owner, Gaille enjoys working with dog and cat owners to manage their pet's behaviour.

Dr Jacqui Ley

BVSc (Hons), MACVSc(Animal Behaviour), CMAVA

Jacqui graduated from Melbourne University Veterinary School in 1995 and entered small animal veterinary practice. A long time interest in animals, animal behaviour and training led her to undertake a Membership to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Veterinary Behaviour in 2000. She then combined general small animal practice with veterinary behaviour practice running a home visit behaviour practice in Melbourne. Looking to understand more about behaviour, she left small animal practice for the world of research and investigated tests for measuring fear in dogs. After a brief hiatus to produce twin boys, Jacqui returned to research and has just completed a PhD at Monash University developing a model and questionnaire for describing canine personality. Other research interests include cat ownership, the decisions breeders make when choosing to breed their dogs and the role of canine personality in successful human-animal relationships. As well she has been involved in teaching the Graduate Certificate in Animal Welfare at Monash University. She has continued to see behaviour cases during this time.

Jacqui has a long time interest in competition dog training and has competed in Obedience, Tracking, Agility and Endurance. She has also been an instructor at 3 community based clubs in Victoria and been involved in doing education seminars for club instructors.

Jacqui will be undertaking her training towards becoming a registered specialist in Veterinary Behaviour, the first Australian resident in Veterinary behaviour. She is looking forward to meeting the clients of SABS.

Dr Gabrielle Carter

BVSc(Hons) MACVSc(Animal Behaviour) MVS - Masters of Veterinary Science

Dr Carter comes to SABS after completion of a three year residency program and masters degree in veterinary behaviour at Purdue University in the USA. In addition she has 20 years experience as a small animal practitioner and gained admission to the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists by examination in animal behaviour. She has offered private behaviour consultations in Melbourne, Australia, has an accredited certificate in dog training, has tutored in dog training, and has hands-on experience in the management of puppy classes. She has also enjoyed the opportunity to provide continuing education in behaviour to veterinarians and to teach veterinary students and technicians.

Historically, she has strong associations and experience within animal welfare, having worked in various welfare organizations, and served for many years as a welfare representative on Animal Experimentation Ethics Committees at La Trobe University and Melbourne University. This background has lead to an intense interest in the relationship between people and animals.

Having established and managed two successful small animal practices within inner city Melbourne, she has a thorough appreciation, and commitment to building strong client relationships, and is dedicated to providing expert care for animals. Although her primary experience has been with small animals she has long and enduring interests in large and exotic animals.

Our other SABS Staff:

Jenny Edwards

BA

Jenny graduated from the University of South Africa in 1984, and has worked in Business and Finance for the past 20 years.  Jenny and her husband migrated to Australia in 1991 and share their lives with a 3 year old Beagle - Zeke.  Jenny has a keen interest in Animal Welfare.