About Dr. Scott Line, DVM
Dr. Line earned his veterinary degree at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He completed a residency at the University of California, Davis, where he also earned a doctoral degree in animal behavior. He is also a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. He has held a variety of research, clinical, and teaching positions during his career. He works for Merial Limited, where he is the associate editor of the Merck Veterinary Manual, the leading veterinary reference book on animal diseases. He lives in Decatur, GA with his dog Gromit and his cats Ben and Jerry.

Veterinary Behaviorists
The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes a variety of specialties within veterinary medicine. Similar to specialties in human medicine, these include veterinarians who are board-certified in surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology (eye care), dentistry, behavior, and 14 other areas of expertise.

To become a board-certified behaviorist, a veterinarian must complete a 3-year residency program, publish a research article on behavior in a professional journal, prepare a group of detailed case studies, and then pass a comprehensive 2-day examination on all aspects of animal behavior. There are currently 37 listed on AVMA directory veterinarians who have completed this rigorous training program and are board-certified veterinary behaviorists.


Disclaimer
The information contained on this web page is designed to help you understand your pet’s behavior and suggest options you may want to pursue with your veterinarian. It is not designed to provide a specific diagnosis or treatment recommendations for you and your pet. Making the diagnosis of a pet behavioral problem is a complex process, and requires a person-to-person visit so that the behaviorist can directly assess your pet and the complete background of the problem. Similarly, making specific treatment recommendations requires direct interaction so that the full details can be effectively communicated. If you have a behavioral problem with your pet, ask your veterinarian for a referral to a qualified behaviorist.