Artificial intelligence is a big part of the conversation in our industry right now. The real question isn’t whether we’ll use it, but how to use it without losing the clinical reasoning that makes us effective practitioners.In this episode, I’m joined once again by my good friend Dr. Chris Pachel to explore one of the biggest shifts happening in our profession. We discuss where AI is genuinely useful, from organizing lengthy medical records and capturing consult notes to creating reports that impro...
Artificial intelligence is a big part of the conversation in our industry right now. The real question isn’t whether we’ll use it, but how to use it without losing the clinical reasoning that makes us effective practitioners.
In this episode, I’m joined once again by my good friend Dr. Chris Pachel to explore one of the biggest shifts happening in our profession. We discuss where AI is genuinely useful, from organizing lengthy medical records and capturing consult notes to creating reports that improve communication with clients, veterinarians, and trainers. But we also talk about its limitations, the risks of bias and overreliance, and why AI should never replace the thinking that comes from experience.
We also dive into behavior medication, including some of the newest developments in veterinary behavior medicine, what’s currently available, and what’s still on the horizon. More importantly, we discuss why medication decisions require careful clinical reasoning. Dogs displaying aggression may look similar on the surface, but the underlying motivations can be completely different. The goal isn’t to medicate every dog or avoid medication altogether. It’s about understanding the individual in front of you and choosing the interventions that give both the dog and caregiver the best opportunity for success.
The second half of our conversation focuses on prognosis, risk assessment, and behavioral euthanasia. Chris shares why he has become increasingly cautious about making early prognostic predictions, how repeated assessments lead to better decision-making, and why acceptable risk looks different for every family and every dog. We also explore some of the most challenging conversations professionals have with clients and why empathy, curiosity, and humility are just as important as technical knowledge.
Whether you’re a trainer, behavior consultant, veterinarian, or simply fascinated by canine behavior, this conversation is a reminder that our work rarely has simple answers. The best decisions are usually found in the nuance.
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