Prior to becoming a veterinary technician, Brittany earned a degree in Anthropology with a minor in Biology from Northern Arizona University. During her undergraduate years, she interned at Chimp Haven in Shreveport, Louisiana, working with chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research. This work required her to quickly learn how to read chimpanzee body language, decipher the meaning of different vocalizations, and in turn reciprocate communication effectively. Brittany started her veterinary career in Sierra Vista, AZ in 2010. Since then, she has completed an associate’s degree in veterinary technology and is now a Certified Veterinary Technician. Brittany’s passion for behavior was catalyzed in 2011 with the adoption of her dog Gru. Gru came to Brittany at twelve weeks old with both of his left legs broken after having been attacked on multiple occasions by another dog. The emotional scars of those traumas, in addition to his physical inability to be well-socialized as a puppy, left Gru lacking in the important life skills he would need to confidently live in the world around him. When it became obvious that he needed more than just basic obedience training and exposure to other people, animals, and environments, Brittany sought the help of Dr. Gail Stevenson at Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson who had a special interest in behavioral medicine. Dr. Stevenson continued to mentor Brittany long after Gru ceased to be her patient. Prior to Dr. Stevenson's retirement in December of 2015, Brittany dedicated several months to shadowing her practice. Brittany is the President of the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians and serves as the Sponsorship Committee Chairperson for the Clinical Animal Behavior Conference.