Local woman communicating with critters

For Tara Lang, there's much more to animal behavior than sit, stay and roll over.

There was the case of the cat that attacked its owners any time they brought out a suitcase. And obsessive-compulsive dogs. There have been biting birds.

And with each animal, always the same basic principle applies:

"It's not so much about teaching them what's wrong. It's about teaching them what's right," said Lang, who lives in Cape Girardeau.

The Register Veterinary Technician was recently featured in Veterinary Technician magazine for her work in animal behavior.

Lang founded Critter Communications LLC, a consulting firm that offers puppy classes and behavior modification services. She also provides behavior services for www.animalbehavior.net.

Born in Sikeston, Mo., she attended Murray State University and then moved to Atlanta for seven years before returning to Southeast Missouri.

In Atlanta, she worked in an exotic animal practice and discovered a trend of misbehavior among birds.

"The client education was very lacking," she said.

She founded the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, one of a growing number of technicians focusing their work on animal behavior, and spends her time lecturing at conferences when she's not consulting or working with pet owners.

Helping owners learn to communicate with their pets is Lang's favorite part of her job.

"It's really putting tools in their tool belt. Seeing that light bulb go off when they start to use positive methods is the best," she said.

The key is basing behavior modification on motivation for any animal, even cats, she said.

"If you can find the right motivator, they're as easy to train as dogs," she said.

cmiller@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128