Haverhill, MA
Dr. Lisa Radosta
History
Dr. Radosta graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. After completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Coral Springs Animal Hospital, she worked as a primary care veterinarian for 2 1/2 years. She completed a 3-year residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and passed the board examination later that year. During her residency, she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row.
In 2005, she went to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to volunteer in the efforts to help animals stranded by Hurricane Katrina. She has owned Florida Veterinary Behavior Service since 2007.
Training Philosophy
Dr. Radosta's training philosophy is based on positive reinforcement and avoiding aversive methods. She emphasizes the importance of understanding a dog's body language and creating a safe and positive learning environment.
Services
Dr. Radosta and her team offer a wide range of services, including:
- Behavioral Assessments: A comprehensive evaluation of your pet's behavior, including a physical examination, history taking, and assessment of videos or photos.
- Behavioral Therapy: Individualized treatment plans designed to address your pet's specific behavioral issues.
- Medication Management: Prescription of psychotropic medications when indicated.
- Cooperative Care Appointments: Appointments designed to help pets feel less stressed during veterinary visits.
- Telemedicine Consultations: Doctor-to-doctor consultations for veterinarians.
- Residency Training: A 3-year clinical behavioral medicine residency program for veterinarians.
Certifications
Dr. Radosta is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (DACVB).
Specializations
Dr. Radosta specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral problems in dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, ferrets, monkeys, exotics, and small mammals. She has particular expertise in:
- Aggression
- Cognitive Dysfunction (Dementia)
- Leash Reactivity
- Noise Phobia
- Thunderstorm Phobia
- Urine Marking
- Separation Anxiety
- Refractory Housetraining
- Urination and Defecation outside of the litterbox
- Feather damaging behavior
- Compulsive behavior
- Night Anxiety
- Generalized Anxiety
- Global Fears
- Fly Snapping
- Circling/Spinning
Training Methods
Dr. Radosta uses positive reinforcement training methods, which focus on rewarding desired behaviors and ignoring or redirecting unwanted behaviors. She avoids the use of aversive methods, such as shock collars, pinch collars, or choke collars.
Customer Reviews
Jennifer and Bella: “We have “special needs” dogs: Bella is a five-year-old Boston Terrier who is afraid of feathers, balloons, fireworks, thunderstorms, is a resource guarder, has a history of fighting, and not so keen on her newest housemate, Basha, who is our two-year-old pit mix rescue with reactive dog issues (she had to be sedated for her first vet appointment) and separation anxiety (over $300 worth of damage to items in our house). The primary catalyst for contacting Dr. Radosta however was due to sibling fights: Bella (our Boston) would initiate fights over toys and treats with Basha (our pit mix). Even after a number of fights, and Bella losing all of them (not to mention the $500+ vet bills per each fight, and me getting injured in trying to break up the fights) we were left with three options: 1) Re-home one of the dogs; 2) euthanize the pit, or 3) get professional help/recommendation. The first two options were out of the question, especially after having just lost our Yorkie the month prior.
Dr. Radosta provided us with a diagnosis and treatment plan with really clear instructions for training the dogs in a positive manner. I felt overwhelmed at first with all the re-training but determined to make positive changes. It took time, consistency, and commitment. For a while, I had a vocabulary of six words: Sit, stay, down, watch, and leave it. My husband and I had to implement new house rules for the benefit of our dogs. Basha was enrolled in Dr. Radosta’s Reactive Dog class. She did fabulously, and I am much more confident walking her in our community and keeping her aggressive side at bay. [Recently while walking Basha we were charged by two other pit bulls. I was able to remain calm, and we averted a dangerous situation.]
Although not thrilled with the idea of medicating my dogs to help them with their individual anxiety issues, after trying an array of natural products, conceded to the medication; WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Neither dog has lost her personality, both have a much more calm disposition, and a better quality of life. And, the best part: the dogs have gotten along! We are at 6 months (and counting) of amicable housemates!!
Dr. Radosta came highly recommended by our vet, the Pet Emergency vets, and other qualified animal trainers. I am sure I cried during our first appointment because of the serious nature of our doggy dilemma: dog fights. [As I type our pit mix rescue is growling at a passerby; in a calm voice I said, “leave it,” and our pit walked over to me, left the passerby alone, and was rewarded. YEA!] Dr. Radosta was professional, calm (I was a basket case), and direct. From the first visit, we saw signs of hope. What was most helpful to me, was feeling like I had an advocate, a coach, and a cheerleader! I emailed Dr. Radosta on a daily if not weekly basis updating her on observations of our dogs, and asking a million questions to help be a better handler to my pups. Dr. Radosta was not only prompt with her replies, but she affirmed me for all my hard work, giving me the encouragement and advice I needed to continue to help my four-legged kids. We have worked with Dr. Radosta for a year now – the result: a much more confident me, and two content and well-managed dogs.”
Media Appearances
Interviews with Dr. Radosta have been published in: Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Palm Beach Post, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, O Magazine, Catster, Good Housekeeping, Sun Sentinel, Washington Post, Real Simple, WebMD, and AAHA News Stat. She has appeared on Lifetime television, Laurie Live, News Channel 25 (West Palm Beach, WPBF), Mitch Wilder’s Amazing Pet Discoveries, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, News Channel 10 (Miami, ABC), and Steve Dale’s Pet Talk.
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
