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Welcome to Our Founder, Catherine Griffin CDBCIAABC

Catherine Griffin with her dog

Catherine is the founder of Snout & About and a certified, accredited Canine Behaviour Consultant accredited & recognised with the leading authority in international standards, the prestigious International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC).

With over 15 years of experience in the field, she brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and professionalism to every case she supports.

Her academic foundation includes advanced study under the esteemed Dr Emily Blackwell at the University of Bristol. A former Training and Behaviour Advisor for Dogs Trust, Catherine has built a reputation for excellence within the industry.

Her work is recognised internationally, with published case studies featured in
respected journals and used as educational material by the prestigious ATN Animal Behaviour Academy in Europe.

Catherine also fosters strong networks within the professional community and among
her clients, promoting collaboration and continued learning. She works with notable
organisations including Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Autism Assistance
Dogs Ireland, the ATN Academy for Applied Psychology, multiple educational bodies

and across veterinary clinics throughout Ireland.

Catherine is recognised as an approved professional for behaviour and training services under Allianz Insurance and associated providers.


Professional Credentials & Standards

  • Certified Canine Behaviour Consultant (IAABC)
  • Progressing Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB)
  • Advanced academic study with Dr Emily Blackwell, University of Bristol
  • Former Training & Behaviour Advisor, Dogs Trust
  • Collaboration with veterinary, physiotherapy, nutrition and training professionals
  • Practice aligned with IAABC Code of Ethics & AVSAB-aligned best practice

Remote Behaviour Triage Clinic

Welcome to the Remote Triage Behaviour Clinic

The premium standard behaviour & health service in Ireland.

Created to give you clarity, direction, and the ultimate in multimodal support for you and your dog.
This is not a training assessment. It is a structured, clinically aligned and in-depth investigative
process designed to understand why your dog is struggling and
what needs to happen next.

Why Triage & not training?

Behaviours driven by anxiety, fear, frustration, overwhelm or discomfort are not training problems.
These emotional states prevent learning from occurring and are driven by underlying factors that
require thorough investigatory analysis.

It is widely documented that training on top of unrecognised physical or behavioural health issues
can compromise welfare and intensify the very behaviours we are trying to resolve.

Once we identify the root causes and stabilise your dog’s emotional and physical wellbeing,
then training can be introduced effectively and safely.

What does a Triage Consultant do?

Your Triage Consultant is your first port of call. They analyse all contributing factors to your dog’s
behaviour via an in-depth analytical and investigatory process. They identify the areas that require deeper
investigation, and refer to the relevant professionals in their respective fields whilst maintaining oversight
of your dog’s case at all times.

Their job is to:

  • Stabilise your dog’s emotional and physical wellbeing
  • Investigate all contributing factors
  • Liaise with the wider expert panel, including 18 leading experts from medical, clinical & behavioural fields
  • Prepare the groundwork for long-term, meaningful change
  • Build a personalised programme that fits your schedule
  • Oversee the entire case, liaising with your referring vet, healthcare professionals, trainers and specialists
  • Support you throughout the investigation and interventions with a direct line of contact

The Benefits

Clear answers instead of guesswork
Understand exactly why behaviours are happening.

A complete expert team
Your case is supported by our network of 18 experts across veterinary, behaviour, physiotherapy, nutrition,
cooperative-care grooming and specialist training. We also work with your preferred vet and other medical specialists.

Evidence-based, welfare-first care
Your dog remains in their safe home environment; no stress from travel or in-person examinations.

Meaningful results
Because interventions are targeted, sequenced correctly and bring in the expertise of several healthcare professionals, not just one.

Long-term, sustainable change
Foundations for meaningful behavioural and emotional wellbeing, followed by collaborative expert support for future training needs.

The Process

1. Pre-Consultation Questionnaire

You complete a detailed Behaviour Triage Questionnaire covering:

  • behaviour history
  • routines and environment
  • health, diet and GI information
  • early development
  • your learning preferences (including support for neurodiverse clients)

2. Tailored Video Requests

After reviewing your questionnaire, your consultant will request specific video footage. This may include:

  • gait and movement
  • posture and transitions
  • home-environment walkthroughs
  • handling tolerance (where safe and appropriate)
  • any naturally occurring relevant behaviours

Your consultant gives clear instructions on how to capture and send this information.

3. Thorough Review & Strategic Feedback

Your consultant thoroughly reviews all submitted information and videos, with support from the expert healthcare
panel where required. You will then be contacted to book your appointment. This is on average a 1.5–2 hour process.

The Pathway

Following your consultation, your consultant builds a personalised Pathways Programme, which may include:

  • Full report on findings – what’s happening, why, and a concise programme to begin foundations at home
  • Environmental and routine adaptations and an emotional regulation programme
  • Educational and learning materials adapted to suit your learning preferences or neuro-diverse needs
  • A Daily Planner designed around your schedule
  • A clear outline of next steps – medical or clinical investigation first, or training supports if appropriate
  • Access to our private client network for support and additional resources
  • All relevant reporting, analytical tools and referral documents prepared for the team allocated to your case

You are never passed from one professional to another without coordination.
Your consultant remains your case lead, ensuring everyone involved works together to maximise the best possible outcomes.

Follow-Up, Review & Ongoing Oversight

Behaviour change is dynamic and layered. Your consultant ensures that:

  • progress is monitored
  • plans are adapted appropriately
  • new concerns are addressed early
  • the wider professional team stays aligned
  • you have consistent guidance throughout the journey

At each stage, your Triage Consultant will inform you of next steps following reports from the wider case team.
You will be allocated one of our highly certified trainers who will support your training needs 1–2–1, in your home
or other appropriate environments.


Fees

Behaviour Triage Clinic (Remote)

€350 – Catherine’s full triage assessment, Behaviour Report and individualised Pathways Programme.
When the case is ready for in person or hands on training, the triage process connects you to one of our affiliated and approved technical training professionals, or, we perform a screening process of trainers in your area to ensure they hold the professional aptitude, academic understanding and technical excellence required for best possible outcomes.


Other Services

  • Professional Mentorships
  • Organisational & Policy Consultancy
  • Education Events & Seminars
  • Community & Corporate Events & Public Speaking
  • Court Required Assessment & Documentation
  • Television & Media Requests

For enquiries regarding any of these services, please contact Catherine at
info@snoutandabout.ie.


Apply for the Behaviour Triage Clinic

Ready to begin? To request a Behaviour Triage Clinic appointment with Catherine, please complete the application form below.


Apply for the Behaviour Triage Clinic

If you have questions before applying, or if you’re interested in other services, you can reach Catherine at
info@snoutandabout.ie.