The Animal Behaviour and Training Council

The Animal Behaviour and Training Council Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Animal Behaviour and Training Council, Taunton.

The ABTC sets and maintains the standards of knowledge and practical skills needed to be an animal trainer or animal behaviour therapist, and it maintains national registers of appropriately qualified animal trainers and animal behaviourists. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) sets the standards of professional competence and behaviour, and is the only organisation that assures the competence of those on the ABTC Register. ABTC represents the training and behaviour sector to the public and to governments, and is supported by DEFRA, the veterinary profession, major animal charities and practitioners alike.

Trustees wantedAs required by our constitution, each year a number of ABTC Trustees have to stand down at the AGM. And, ...
29/03/2026

Trustees wanted

As required by our constitution, each year a number of ABTC Trustees have to stand down at the AGM. And, if they want to continue on the Board of Trustees, stand for re-election.
This is also the opportunity for anyone who would like to join the Board to stand for election.

You will find an invitation to anyone interested in joining the Board on our website.

https://abtc.org.uk/about/news/

In that invitation you will find links to the Gov.UK website with a description of the basic duties and requirements of a Trustee as outlined by the Charity Commission; further information about being a Trustee for ABTC and a skills audit/application form to be completed, please.

As explained in the invitation the skills audit and any information you give will be shared with the Trustees and Members of ABTC for voting purposes.

If you are interested in applying, please complete the skills audit/application and return to Val on admin@abtc.org.uk by Thursday, 7 May 2026.

Elected Trustees will take up their post at the AGM on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. Their term is three years at which point they can stand for re-election if they wish to do so.

ALT text - Red ABTC logo on white background with a white News logo on a faded red background.

UNDERSTAND HORSES LIVE 2026 - EVENT PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLEUnderstand Horses Live features two days of lectures, practic...
27/03/2026

UNDERSTAND HORSES LIVE 2026 - EVENT PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE

Understand Horses Live features two days of lectures, practical demonstrations and workshops
exploring the science and practice of horse behaviour, training, physiology and welfare.

27–28 June 2026
Reaseheath College, Cheshire

This year’s programme includes sessions on:
• Troubleshooting common training challenges
• Equine cognition and problem-solving • Giving horses choice and consent in training
• Supplements and medication in behaviour modification
• Prevention and management of gastric ulcers
• Reducing stress during gastroscopy
• Low-stress handling and veterinary care
• Managing emergency rescue and high-risk situations
• Trauma-informed care using the SAFETY framework
• Navigating difficult conversations with owners and professionals
Saturday focuses on lectures and discussions.
Sunday features practical demonstrations and workshops with horses.

View the full programme and book your place here:
https://www.understandhorses.com/understand-horses-live-event-programme-2026

Understand Horses Live 2026 is supported by World Horse Welfare, Redwings Horse Sanctuary,
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Dengie Horse Feeds and Black Horse
Design.

We’re thrilled to share our new and exciting Sponsor opportunity for individuals and organisations! From just £50, you c...
25/03/2026

We’re thrilled to share our new and exciting Sponsor opportunity for individuals and organisations! From just £50, you can join our fantastic ABTC community!

We’ve created various sponsorship categories from bronze to platinum that allow you to support the ABTC’s important work. There are all sorts of benefits available, including opportunities to have your name and/or logo shown on the ABTC website and in our media communications. You’ll have an ABTC sponsor logo sent as part of your sponsorship package too!

Have a look at the info here: https://abtc.org.uk/sponsors/ or just get in touch if you have any questions.

📝 Are you currently working as an equine allied professional in the UK?I'm currently completing a research project as pa...
23/03/2026

📝 Are you currently working as an equine allied professional in the UK?

I'm currently completing a research project as part of my Master of Business Administration at Hartpury University, and I'm looking for participants to complete a short survey.

📌 Study Aim:
To explore the challenges within the equine allied professions in the United Kingdom and the implications for the sustainability of the future workforce. The study will consider to what extent equine allied professionals are satisfied with their current working arrangement, feel valued and identify their concerns.

👥 Who Can Take Part?
You can take part if you:
✅ Work as equine allied professional (including but not limited to physiotherapists, equine dental technicians, saddle and bridle fitters and farriers)
✅ Currently work in the UK
✅ Aged 18 years or over
✅ Are fully qualified in the equine allied profession in which work is undertaken
🕒 How Long Will It Take?
The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.

🔒 Anonymity & Ethics:
Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential.
This study has been ethically approved by Hartpury University (ETHICS2025-352-LR).
📅 Deadline:
Please complete the survey by 6th April 2026.

👉 Take the Survey Here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1m00vXDaWkStHB3f8YXeOMgl-cxzU7hIlC1uhTJrsR9URUhSWkNIWk44M09WSFc0SzlMNkowTjRPUi4u&route=shorturl

A big thank you to Dr James Hunt for delivering an excellent ABTC Lunch & Learn today on 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳....
12/03/2026

A big thank you to Dr James Hunt for delivering an excellent ABTC Lunch & Learn today on 𝘕𝘦𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳.

Thank you also to everyone who registered and joined the session, and to those who contributed such thoughtful questions during the discussion.

ABTC Lunch & Learns aim to make high-quality, science-led continuing professional development accessible, supporting humane and ethical practice across the animal behaviour and training sector.

Keep an eye on ABTC channels for details of upcoming Lunch & Learns later this year.

British Veterinary Behaviour Association have their Study Day on 18 March 2026 in Birmingham.‘One’s company, two’s a cro...
27/02/2026

British Veterinary Behaviour Association have their Study Day on 18 March 2026 in Birmingham.

‘One’s company, two’s a crowd?

Issues, solutions and case studies in multi-animal households’

https://www.bvba-org.co.uk/news-and-events for tickets.

Shop and support ABTC this weekend and get free shipping! Just in time for Pay Day!Every order placed from 9am Friday to...
25/02/2026

Shop and support ABTC this weekend and get free shipping! Just in time for Pay Day!

Every order placed from 9am Friday to midnight Sunday (GMT) gets Free UK Shipping automatically applied at checkout. No code required

https://shop.abtc.org.uk

Following the formal recognition of the ABTC Assessing Organisations Certificate Scheme by the United Kingdom Accreditat...
07/02/2026

Following the formal recognition of the ABTC Assessing Organisations Certificate Scheme by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) in October 2025, we are pleased to announce an important update to the assessment process for Animal Trainers and Animal Training Instructors.

From 31 January 2026, assessment of knowledge and understanding for these two roles will be achieved through either,
a) Completion of an ABTC recognised course or
b) Completion of the new APEL assessment with one of our ABTC Assessing Organisations
Assessment of knowledge and understanding must be complete before practical skills for the role are assessed.

This updated APEL assessment has been developed collaboratively with representatives from across our Assessing Organisations. We are extremely grateful for the time, expertise and commitment that have contributed to this work.

The introduction of a standardised knowledge and understanding assessment (APEL) aims to improve consistency, clarity and fairness in how the ABTC Standards are interpreted and applied across the sector. This forms a key part of the ABTC’s progression towards applying for certification body status under ISO/IEC 17065.

And by ensuring that practical skills are assessed alongside a robust underpinning of knowledge, this approach strengthens assessment integrity, helps reduce the risk of unsafe or unintended practice, and protects practitioners, animals and the people they work with. It also aligns with external quality assurance expectations, enhances credibility and supports long-term sector progression.

We encourage animal trainers and animal training instructors who are not yet registered to consider applying for assessment of both Knowledge and Understanding (K&U) and practical skills through any of our ABTC Assessing Organisations. Becoming an ABTC registered Animal Trainer or Animal Training Instructor demonstrates a high standard of professional competence, promotes animal welfare and supports ethical, evidence-based practice across the industry.

As we look ahead to 2026, this is an ideal time for practitioners to reflect on their professional development and consider taking the next step towards ABTC registration.

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!We're thrilled to welcome Dr James Hunt, RCVS...
02/02/2026

𝗔𝗕𝗧𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 – 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!

We're thrilled to welcome Dr James Hunt, RCVS Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law, for a special CPD session on:
Understanding Neuropathic Pain: What Behaviour Professionals Need to Know

Thursday 12th March 2026
12.30pm (1 hour incl. Q&A)
Email admin@abtc.org.uk to register for your free place.

In this session, Dr James Hunt draws on his clinical expertise in pain medicine to explore what behaviour professionals need to know, what to look for, and how best to collaborate across disciplines.



[ALT TEXT: Promotional image for a free ABTC Lunch & Learn webinar featuring Dr James Hunt and a golden retriever. The talk is titled "Understanding Neuropathic Pain: What Behaviour Professionals Need to Know" and takes place Thursday 12th March at 12.30pm for one hour. ABTC logo included.]

FREE shipping when you purchase from the ABTC shop until Midnight Sunday!No code needed. https://shop.abtc.org.uk
30/01/2026

FREE shipping when you purchase from the ABTC shop until Midnight Sunday!
No code needed.

https://shop.abtc.org.uk

We are inviting colleagues to participate in questionnaire-based research, exploring stress reduction of veterinary pati...
30/01/2026

We are inviting colleagues to participate in questionnaire-based research, exploring stress reduction of veterinary patients. A number of final year Veterinary Nurse students at Harper Adams University are investigating different areas of patient stress reduction, with objectives focusing on prevalence, perceived effects, and rationale for implementing.
Your input may help advance evidence-based practices, and it only takes a few minutes to contribute. Please click the links below to support this important research.
Thank you and please do spread the word!

Pre-visit meds in cats (prevalence of use): HRP Questionnaire https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/harper-adams/hrp-questionnaire-wkm3wse2512dyvay68hq1hlac

Stress reduction strategies for cats in practice: Veterinary Professionals' Perspective on Feline Stress-Reduction Strategies used in Practice https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/harper-adams/questionnaire-minimising-feline-stress-in-practice

Stress reduction strategies for dogs in the veterinary waiting area:
An investigation into the use of different stress reduction techniques for canines implemented by vet professionals in the veterinary waiting room. https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/harper-adams/my-survey-01

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TA12UH

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The Animal Behaviour and Training Council is the regulatory body that represents animal trainers and animal behaviour therapists to both the public and to legislative bodies. It is supported by Defra, the veterinary profession, major animal charities and practitioners alike.