Veterinary Behavioral Care for Hickory, NC Pets
Is your pet’s behavior affecting everyday life at home?
We help pets feel calmer, safer, and more confident using medically guided behavioral care.
Our veterinarians evaluate emotional health, medical factors, and environmental triggers to understand what your pet is experiencing, and what will truly help.
Behavior Concerns We Support
Anxiety, fear, and stress-related behaviors
Compulsive or repetitive behaviors
Reactivity, aggression, and conflicts between pets
House soiling, destructiveness, and coping challenges
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Chronic Care Management
Separation distress and noise sensitivities
Our approach blends veterinary insight, behavior science, and Fear Free techniques to understand what your pet is experiencing and how to help them thrive.
How Our Process Works
Comprehensive evaluation
We look at your pet’s medical history, behavior, home environment, & triggers to understand what’s causing the behavior.
Personalized treatment plan
This may include medical treatment, behavior training, and support techniquesto help them feel calmer and more in control.
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Ongoing support
With regular check-ins, treatment updates, and hands-on guidance, we help your pet make steady progress and set you up for long-term success.
What makes a vet behavorist
different to a trainer
Veterinary Behaviorist
- Has 10+ years of advanced medical + behavioral training
- Can diagnose medical & behavioral conditions
- Prescribes behavioral medications
- Treats anxiety, fear, aggression, and compulsive behaviors
- Creates science-based treatment plans
Trainer
- Teaches commands, manners, and skills
- Cannot diagnose or prescribe medications
- Improves obedience and communication
- Supports basic problem-solving (jumping, pulling, etc.)
- Helps build structure and daily routines
Meet our lead veterinarians
A combined 50+ years of experience & 450+ pets healed through veterinary behavioral care
Skillful, Compassionate care
Dr. Adele Hilliard
Founder & Lead Veterinarian at the Greenville, South Carolina Practice
Dr. Hilliard offers over 20 years of experience and holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia. She focuses exclusively on behavioral medicine, using medically informed care to improve pet’s well-being.
Skillful, Compassionate care
Dr. Jill Bradshaw
Lead Veterinarian at the Asheville, North Carolina Practice
Dr. Bradshaw brings over 30 years of veterinary experience and a Master’s in Clinical Animal Behavior, using a medically informed approach to treat behavior challenges in pets.
Serving Pets & Families in Hickory, NC
Families in Hickory and surrounding areas choose us for specialized veterinary behavioral care that goes beyond traditional training. While appointments are managed through our Greenville clinic, we regularly support clients traveling from Hickory for accurate diagnosis, tailored treatment plans, and compassionate ongoing guidance.
What our clients say
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“With their guidance, his separation anxiety has improved tenfold, and he can now go to the veterinarian and groomer without issues. I am so glad we decided to seek out her help!”
"Dr. Hilliard has been instrumental in helping Marty and us during very challenging times. Her love and concern for animals and their owners is very apparent. We are so thankful for her and her wonderful staff."
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"Dr.Hilliard and her staff have been wonderful! They helped me with my very anxious kitty and continue to provide amazing comprehensive care. They do outstanding work!"
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"Dr. Hilliard cares so deeply about her clients and their pets! My dog is an extremely difficult case. His anxiety issues are off the charts. She has put her heart and soul into helping my special dog. She honestly goes above and beyond. I would recommend her to anyone and everyone!"
