P IERRETTE MERCIER, DVM, DACVB
Pierrette Mercier, DVM, DACVB, earned her DVM degree from the University of Montreal in 1988. She practiced small animal medicine in Edmundston, NB, from 1988 to 2008, and in Matane, QC, from 2008 to 2020. In 2020, she joined the team at Riverview Animal Health Centre. After experiencing her own personal journey with a dog suffering from mental illness, Dr. Mercier developed a deep interest in veterinary behaviour medicine. Her dedication to the field led her to become a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2025. Dr. Mercier is also a Fear Free Certified Elite Professional with Low Stress Handling Silver Certification. These credentials reflect her commitment to compassionate, science-based care that prioritizes the emotional well-being of animals.
V ALLI PARTHASARATHY, PHD, D VM, DACVB
Valli Parthasarathy, PhD, DVM, DACVB is the owner of and a Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist at Synergy Veterinary Behavior, a behaviour specialty practice in Portland, OR. She helps families whose dogs, cats, birds, horses, and other species show problematic behaviours. Her goal is to help support positive behavioural change through greater mutual understanding and improved relationships between people and their animals. Dr. Parthasarathy has been invited to speak at national and international conferences on topics in veterinary behaviour, ranging from early recognition of problem behaviour and treating behaviour problems in various species to making veterinary care less stressful for patients. She regularly collaborates with general practice veterinarians and specialty clinicians, providing behavioural insight and support as part of a multidisciplinary approach to complex cases.
E LIZABETH PASK, PHD, DVM , CCRP
Elizabeth Pask, PhD, DVM, CCRP, holds a PhD in nutrition and toxicology from the University of Guelph and a DVM from the Ontario Veterinary College, graduating in 2014. Her passion for animal medicine, particularly dog sports, rehabilitation, geriatric animal care, and chronic pain management, was inspired by her experience rehabilitating her Labrador, Mr. Ripley, who suffered from arthritis and muscle atrophy. This journey ignited her commitment to rehabilitation medicine and pain management, leading her to establish Gilmour Road Veterinary Services in 2016. In 2017, she became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee. Dr. Pask is dedicated to excellence in rehabilitation medicine, consistently pursuing continuing education to stay current in her field. She shares her life with four Labrador Retrievers and actively competes in a variety of dog sports with her Labradors.
C LAUDIA RICHTER, DVM, DACVB
Claudia Richter, DVM, DACVB, has over 20 years of veterinary experience, including six years running her own community-focused small animal practice in BC, Canada, which achieved American Animal Hospital Association accreditation. She founded the annual Vets in Action program, providing free surgical and dental care for shelter animals, and initiated a monthly pro bono surgery program. In recognition of these community efforts, she received the BC SPCA Veterinarian of the Year Award in 2013. During her work with the BC SPCA, Dr. Richter discovered a strong passion for behavioural medicine. She implemented low-stress and fear-free methodologies within the hospital and started a Veterinary Behaviour Residency. In 2017, she founded Pacific Veterinary Behaviour Consulting in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2024, became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. In November 2025, Dr. Richter relocated from Canada to Germany to take on a new role at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Hannover, where she is building a new Veterinary Behavioural Medicine Department. Her special interests include the connection between physical and behavioural disorders, as well as psychopharmacology. Outside of work, Claudia enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her family—furry or not.
