Valerie J Chalcraft, PhD

VALERIE CHALCRAFT TRANSFORMS CATATONIC CAT!
Consulting with Valerie Chalcraft is the best thing I’ve ever done (with cats). I adopted an extremely fearful cat who hid in his introductory room staring at the corner of a closet all day. It was pitiful. He behaved the same way in the shelter where he’d been dumped a month before. Who knows what happened to him in his first 6 years. I didn’t think I could help him recover by myself, or at least not for a long time. I’ve heard it takes some cats like this a year to socialize.
I was concerned enough that I called Dr. Chalcraft who I knew from her work with feral cats and respected for her research into animal behavior.
She spent 2 hours with him and my other two, most of her time on the floor working with the cats. Her suggestions for the fear and for introduction were practical, useful, easily implemented and inexpensive. In fact, she saved me money on special products I’d been using. She respected my knowledge, developed during 57 years of having cats and more than 15 years volunteering at animal shelters. She responded to all my email questions and progress reports.
After 2 ½ months, this cat sits with me and interacts with the others. He’s the most affectionate cat I’ve ever had. My well-​informed friends at cat shelters think this is pretty darned good, and so do I. I recommend Dr. Chalcraft to anyone. It was a first for me and worth every penny.
Oh, forgot to say she’s one of the nicest and most compassionate people I’ve ever met.

it is obvious Valerie loves cats and knows what they need, I rescued a young female cat that had been living outside for two years, I brought the cat into my house, she did not like my existing resident cats at all, so I hired Valerie to help me. We had sweet success, Valerie knew immediately how to get my existing cats to accept the new cat and she helped my new cats accept my long term residents. We are now all living in harmony and I have Dr. Valerie Chalcraft to thank, I will hire her again if the need arises.

I volunteer at a local animal shelter and we have consulted with Valerie regarding behavior problems with our animals on more than one occasion. Her advise has been extremely helpful. We are very lucky to be able to call on her as a resource!

I maintain and care for a large feral cat colony. Information provided by Valerie has been invaluable. There is no one in the animal-​loving world I would trust more than Valerie. She works tirelessly for the benefit of animals and deserves respect and praise for her excellent work.

Valerie was wonderful with my senior cat, and he took to her immediately. Even though he was always a little skittish, she was able to get him comfortable in a strange new environment within minutes of meeting him. She advised me on how to make my kitty’s golden years the best they could possibly be, and for that I am ever grateful!

When my boyfriend (now husband) and I moved in together, we were not only integrating our lives, but also our pets. His pit bull mix was sweet but over eager when it came to cats. My Siamese was not into sharing her space with other animals. Valerie came to the rescue, giving us practical tips to integrate the two. It took some training and diligence, but it was worth it to have the peace of mind that they were able to get along, or at least, in the case of my cat, tolerate the situation.

It’s such a rare combination to see somebody with this much expertise and experience and academic credentials who also engages in so much selfless and un-​recognized effort. Valerie is one of those few dedicated passionate people that change the world.

Valerie is a dedicated and compassionate professional who truly cares about the welfare of all animals. I’ve had the privilege of working with her on some causes as well as personally when she came to my house and offered some wonderful advice for my easily excitable, barking dog. I highly recommend Valerie as she is truly one-​of-​a-​kind animal behaviorist. I’m very lucky to know her.

Valerie embodies kindness and compassion with all of the animals and people she works with and meets. I worked with Valerie for several years through AnimalSense Canine Training and Behavior and saw firsthand her commitment to Animal Welfare.

Valerie is the most kind and compassionate animal expert I have ever encountered. My dog has many issues with being scared of noises, especially thunderstorms. The helpful advice she gave me has significantly reduced his fear and made him much calmer during storms. Valerie has also given me great advice to pass along to my neighbors that foster strays. I highly recommend Valerie for any needs you have for your animals.

I adopted a Shih-​tzu and as a first-​time dog owner, I was having a really difficult time managing his behavior (this is a huge understatement: he was biting me and my friends — puncture wound style and I was terrified of him) after 9 months. I had tried group classes, other trainers, and read all the books I could.
Valerie spent a generous two hours with me and my dog in my home. She evaluated the space, my management style, his behavior, reactions to stimulus — everything! We worked on reasonable, concrete goals in order to lower his overall anxiety. His behavior patterns changed within days. The biting has stopped altogether, he calms easily, and he’s a very lovable creature after all!
Valerie was available for ongoing issues and questions — via phone and email — two months following the session. She returns calls and emails promptly, provides both research materials and real-​life, immediate solutions to ALL kinds of problems.
Her service entirely changed the relationship I have with my dog. I am so grateful!