Interested in this role?
Langford Vets is seeking a highly motivated Clinical Animal Behaviourist with at least 2 years' experience working with dogs.
You will perform a key role within our Behaviour department, independently leading your own primary consultations and managing new and existing clinical behaviour cases within your professional competence under the direction and guidance of the veterinary behaviourist. You will also support the teaching of undergraduate veterinary nursing & companion animal behaviour (VNCAB) students.
Our dynamic and supportive team is integrated with the pain and rehabilitation service and the wider multi-disciplinary team in our busy Small Animal Referral Hospital. This is a unique opportunity for a candidate interested in advancing their career in companion animal behaviour.
About the company
Langford Vets is located in the beautiful Somerset countryside, whilst being close to the vibrant city of Bristol. As a subsidiary company of the University of Bristol, we are a commercial veterinary business operating across all animal species and disciplines, whilst also teaching the future generations of vets and nurses.
We are a dynamic and innovative veterinary company committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We pride ourselves on being a positive and inclusive place to work. Our success is driven by our talented and dedicated team of professionals who work together to achieve our goals.
The Team and Culture
This fast-paced and rewarding role provides plenty of opportunities for learning, developing and working with a passionate and driven team of professionals.
As a Clinical Animal Behaviourist at Langford Vets you will work as part of the integrated Small Animal Referral Hospital Behaviour and Pain Rehabilitation teams working closely with clinicians, nurses and clinical support staff. The team currently consists of one Veterinary Behaviourist, 3 Physiotherapists, a Hydrotherapist/ Rehabilitation Assistant and a Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia.
Emily Ni Mhuilleoir is our rehabilitation team lead and has shared this with us:
‘'Our team is extremely caring and considerate. We work closely together to ensure we're doing the best for our patients and that everyone on the team feels supported.'
Our culture is to provide a friendly, supportive and collaborative environment within which individuals feel heard and can fulfill their potential through career long learning.
What you will do:
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Work as part of the behaviour department, leading initial consultations and follow-up care, contributing to client and vet behavioural support.
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Provide excellent written communication including reports to referring veterinarians and clients.
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Receive mentorship from our experienced Veterinary Behaviourist, as well as the clinicians, nurses and physiotherapists in the wider hospital team.
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Provide continuous clinical behaviour cover for patients during periods of colleague absence.
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Participate in regular rounds and case discussions between the behaviour and pain rehabilitation teams.
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Contribute to clinical teaching of veterinary nurse students.
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Contribute to the development of the behaviour team, bringing innovative ideas and practices to the department
About you
The ideal candidate will be able work both independently and collaboratively with veterinary colleagues, to offer Clinical Animal Behaviour services with a desire to be involved with training / CPD for staff and students. You will have a positive work ethic as a flexible team player, with excellent communication skills.
Benefits and wellbeing
Our people are at the heart of what we do and as your employer we want to ensure we offer flexibility, support and staff development, where possible, through:
Time off
- 5 weeks holiday per year (plus bank holidays)
- Additional holiday entitlement for Long Service
Wellbeing
- On site Employee Wellbeing Champions
- EDI committee
- Employee Forum – to ensure all employees voices can be heard
- Menopause Café
- Wellbeing talks and events
- Cycle to work scheme
- Family friendly policies, including enhanced maternity and paternity pay (after 2 years’ service)
Health
- SimplyHealth Cashplan membership
- Free annual flu vaccination
- Free Specsavers eye test voucher
General
- Free onsite parking
- U2 bus service link to Bristol
- Annual CPD allowance
- Employee discount
- Generous pension scheme – we match up to 8% pension contributions
- Reimbursement of one professional membership fee per year
How to apply
If this role sounds like the right fit for you, don’t delay, click ‘Apply’ and begin your career with Langford Vets.
Closing date for this role is: 14th September 2026
Interviews will be held on: 17th September 2026. Candidates will be asked to provide an example of written work/reports as part of the interview process.
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact gwen.covey-crump@bristol.ac.uk
Job Description
Responsibilities
Job purpose
Job Purpose:
To independently manage a designated caseload of primary behaviour consultations, delivering evidence-based, compassionate behaviour support to clients and their companion animals, under the direction and guidance of the Veterinary Behaviourist. The role holder will lead their own primary consultations and manage new and existing clinical behaviour cases within their professional competence and agreed clinical protocols, communicating effectively with clients, referring veterinary surgeons and clinical staff.
Part of the role includes coordination of clinical activities and the outpatient caseload within the Behaviour Department, including triage of appointments, advice calls, and follow-up support for clients and referring veterinary surgeons.
The postholder will help support the behavioural needs of inpatients, improving welfare through behaviour-focused initiatives and staff training. They will also support veterinary and nursing students on clinical rotations, contribute to external CPD and public-facing content.
Principal Accountabilities:
Clinical Behaviour Support
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Independently lead and manage primary behaviour consultations, including gathering relevant case information, assessing patients, handling animals safely and developing appropriate behaviour plans within scope of competence and agreed clinical protocols.
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Coordinate, design and deliver practical behaviour modification programmes through appointments and follow-up clinics for the Behaviour Service, within professional competence and agreed clinical protocols.
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Work with the Veterinary Behaviourist to collaboratively manage complex referral cases.
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Assess hospital inpatient emotional needs and implement behaviour-focused measures to promote welfare, under the direction of the Veterinary Behaviourist.
Client and Referral Communication
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Triage behaviour advice enquiries by responding to appropriate routine queries, managing expectations and obtaining relevant information for escalation to the Veterinary Behaviourist.
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Provide timely follow-up communication with owners and referring veterinary surgeons, including behavioural advice, appointment coordination and medication-related communication as directed by the veterinary team.
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Maintain thorough and accurate clinical case notes and written reports for clients and referring veterinarians
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Ensure all communications with clients and referring practices are accurately recorded on the clinical record.
Service Coordination and Records
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Work closely with the Reception team to coordinate appointments, maximise use of consulting facilities and issue reminders
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Ensure timely and accurate billing of all cases
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Ensure patient and client records are complete, accurate and up to date within agreed estimates.
Teaching and CPD
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Support the teaching and supervision of veterinary and veterinary nursing students during clinical rotations, including acting as a Clinical Coach where appropriate.
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Contribute to internal and external continuing professional development for veterinary professionals and support staff, including presentations and written content for social media and publications.
Professional Responsibilities
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Work collaboratively across hospital services to build effective relationships with clinical teams and support the delivery of consistent, welfare-focused patient care.
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Communicate professionally, clearly and compassionately with clients, colleagues and external stakeholders.
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Undertake other reasonable duties requested by the line manager.
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Proactively identify and act upon opportunities for business improvement. Openly identify and discuss problems in order to implement and sustain improvements that increase the value we deliver to our clients, employees, and students.
Person Specification
Person Specification
The skills, abilities, experience and knowledge outlined below provide a summary of what is required to carry out this job effectively.
Essential |
Desirable |
At least 2 years experience in clinical animal behaviour with dogs |
Experience with cats |
Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist |
Experience working collaboratively with veterinary colleagues |
Compassionate, calm and welfare-focused approach to supporting animals presenting with a range of behavioural and emotional conditions and their caregivers. |
MSc Clinical Animal Behaviour |
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide clear, empathetic advice and build effective relationships with clients, referring vets and multidisciplinary teams. |
Registered Veterinary Nurse |
Organised, observant and proactive, with the ability to prioritise a busy and varied caseload, maintain accurate records and work independently within agreed clinical protocols. |
Valid UK driving licence |
Confident and experienced in handling and managing animals to mitigate risk during consultations and practical behavioural modification sessions |
Access to a car for external training activities |
Eligible to work in the UK |
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