About

Dr. Michelle Rassool BSc. DVM MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)

I’m a veterinarian working in Melbourne, Australia. I graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, as well as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. I have membership qualifications in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, meaning I have additional expertise and study in the area.

I also work as a GP Vet, local to where I grew up. It’s important for me to be well rounded, performing surgeries, dental work, and general practice consultations, as well as my behavioural work.

My Veterinary Behaviour service is held in a non-clinical space in Melbourne’s Inner North, to help make behavioural medicine accessible to dogs that find the clinic tough!

I have always had a strong, practical interest in animal behaviour, spending my early days working and training horses, and later becoming passionate about dog training, before starting my journey to become a vet. I’ve spent hundreds of hours of training with both my own, and client’s dogs. My degree focusing on applied animal behaviour holds me in good practical stead as a trainer.

As a behaviour vet, I aim to bridge the gap between trainers and veterinarians, creating an open dialogue to support my clients and their pets through behavioural issues. I’m focused on preventative behavioural care, from the first puppy visit to senior checks, and work hard to create positive experiences for pets in clinic from the day I meet them. I not only manage the medicine side of behaviour, but understand and can carry out training and practical stuff too. I practice dog training and development daily and take pride in furthering my skills with ongoing coaching, education, and mentoring.

I’ve developed specific medicine and training plans for hundreds of patients, working collaboratively with qualified trainers to achieve positive outcomes. Every single one of my general practice appointments touches on behavioural health, as well as physical health concerns.

I hold a special place for dogs with behavioural challenges that make ‘normal’ clinic visits difficult, and am driven to create plans to facilitate the high level of care all dogs deserve from their veterinarian. I am Fear Free Certified, and you can get a good feel for if we’d be a good fit to work together through my socials.