What is the PennVet Behavior App?

Developed in partnership with Intellivets, LLC and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society (CIAS), the PennVet Behavior App is a platform to perform teleconsults with PennVet specialists. Through the use of the app, pet owners and referring veterinarians receive an in-depth analysis to further understand the behavior of their pet.

Referring veterinarians can get started by creating an account, inviting their clients to sign up in the app, and request a consult.

The cost for a consultation is currently $275, and will have a 3-4 day turnaround.

For more information about the process, please look at the instructions for pet owners and veterinarians below.

If you have any questions, contact us at hello@intellivets.com

What is the C-BARQ?

The C-BARQ (or Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire) provides dog owners and professionals with standardized evaluations of canine temperament and behavior. It was developed by PennVet researchers and is currently the only behavioral assessment instrument of its kind extensively tested for reliability and validity on large samples of dogs of many breeds. The C-BARQ consists of 100 questions describing the different ways in which dogs typically respond to common events and situations in their environment. The C-BARQ is simple to use and can be completed by anyone who is reasonably familiar with a dog's typical, day-to-day behavior. On average, it takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.

The C-BARQ is widely used to evaluate dogs for the presence and severity of behavioral problems. For ease of interpretation, each dog’s C-BARQ scores on this app are color-coded (green, yellow, orange or red) to indicate how far they diverge from the dog population average. Scores in the orange-red range are typically concerning.

MEET THE TEAM

James Serpell

James Serpell holds the Marie A. Moore endowed Chair of Animal Ethics & Welfare at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania. He received his bachelor’s degree in Zoology from University College London in 1974, and his PhD in Animal Behavior from the University of Liverpool (UK) in 1980. At Penn Vet he teaches veterinary ethics, applied animal behavior and welfare, and human-animal interactions. His research focuses on the behavior and welfare of dogs and cats, the development of human attitudes to animals, and the history and impact of human-animal relationships, and he has published more than 150 articles and book chapters on these and related topics. Dr. Serpell is the creator of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), and is also the author, editor or co-editor of several books including Animals & Human Society: Changing Perspectives (1994), In the Company of Animals (1996), Companion Animals & Us (2000), and The Domestic Dog (2016).

Carlo Siracusa

Born in Italy, Carlo Siracusa got his DVM from the University of Messina, Italy, and his PhD from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, defending a thesis on perioperative stress in dogs and the effect of pheromonotherapy. He completed his residency in Animal Behavior at the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, where he is currently the Director of the Animal Behavior Service and Chief of the Primary Care Education section. Carlo is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and the European College of Animal Welfare and Behavior Medicine. His research interests are focused on stress evaluation in dogs, pheromonotherapy, canine temperament testing, and prognostic factors and treatment outcome of behavior problems.

Our Mission

Dr. KimMi Whitehead, CEO

Dr. KimMi Whitehead, VMD, DACVECC is the chief executive officer of Intellivets, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC). KimMi’s special areas of interest include veterinary telehealth, gastrointestinal dysmotility in critical care and polytrauma. She is also the co-founder of a veterinary online education and training company, Intensivets, LLC. She completed her undergraduate studies at Wellesley College before beginning graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where she earned her veterinary degree. After completing a one-year internship at Animal Surgical Emergency Center in Los Angeles, California, KimMi entered a three-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine at Oradell Animal Hospital, a specialty/emergency referral hospital in Paramus, New Jersey. She then helped establish the critical care department at the Veterinary Specialty Center of Delaware. KimMi grew up in Seoul, Korea and speaks Korean, English and beginner French. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter, two fluffy dogs, Penny Lane and Eleanor Rigby, and one very bossy cat, Sookie.

Jacqueline Cooper, COO

As chief operating officer of Intellivets, Jacqueline Cooper is responsible for the operations of the company. Her career experience and leadership have been focused on developing and delivering growth-driven business services and solutions, providing outstanding client service, and driving profitable revenue growth for startup companies. In 2016, Jacqueline founded Cardona Consulting serving as President and Consultant, providing growth-driven business and marketing services. Previously, Jacqueline served as Head of Marketing for a successful startup spearheading business development, demand generation, and marketing strategies contributing to the company’s sale. Jacqueline has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing Management and received her Executive Master of Business Administration from Smeal College of Business at Penn State University. She serves in board of director and volunteer roles at American Marketing Association, PAWS, ASPCA, and Broad Street Homeless Outreach Services. Jacqueline lives in Philadelphia with her family and beloved Norwegian Forest cat, Rio.