3.

Prior to the appointment, I ask the pet's primary caretaker a number of questions about the pet's environment, history and behavior problem(s). I can gather this initial information on phone or in person, if your prefer, however the least expensive way is to e-mail, fax or post my questionnaire 3 days before our appointment.

Online Cat Questionnaire (Also available by e-mail)

Bird Questionnaire(Need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Also available by e-mail)

Observe animal & environment.
Assess influential factors.
Explain the reasons behind the problem behavior.
Explain the first steps in the behavior modification program.
Demonstrate conditioning techniques.

My rates are $75 for my review of the questionnaire, my behavior modification program design, an initial hour consultation and some e-mail coaching. I charge $25 per half hour after that, for over-time on intial consults and for phone or e-mail follow-ups. An hour to an hour and a half is usually enough for an initial consult for cat behavior problems. Parrot cases are more likely to take two hours and I recommend an in-person appointment. My fees are less if you fill out the questionnaire and I receive it at least 3 days before the appointment. When you return the questionnaire, there is a $25 fee for my review of the questionnaire and to hold an appointment time. You can pay this by personal check or charge it through PayPal:

E-mail me or phone in a short description of your problem. I will let you know what level of service you need (i.e., phone consultation, home visit, referral, etc.) and provide a price estimate. Include the information below in your message. Then you can decide if you want to use our services. This will not be a diagnosis of the problem!

'One of my cats was terrorizing and wounding my newest cat. She had stopped using the litter box and was soiling indiscriminately in my house. My vet had only three solutions: Isolate each, drug therapy or place one in another home. Life long isolation seemed cruel. Drug therapy seemed dangerous. And I did not want to give any of the cats up. The owner of my pet store suggested Joanne Oliva-Purdy, Ph.D., who quickly identified the situation as a crisis and made suggestions for immediate relief. Within a week, the new cat was using the litter box exclusively. And after 5 months, I am thrilled to have 3 cats who can now peacefully coexist. Dr. Oliva-Purdy has given me techniques that are sound and relatively easy to apply. She was never rigid in her advice and allowed for my ideas. Her behavior modification techniques caused a minimum of disruption to my lifestyle. Throughout the process, she gave encouragement and pats on the back even when there were set backs. I never thought the situation would turn out as wonderful as it has. Thank you Dr. Oliva-Purdy!'

Harriet Weingroff

'When I took over ownership of my "dream bird," a 9-year-old male umbrella cockatoo, I was suffering from ignorant bliss. I was unaware of the real dangers associated with a sexually mature male umbrella cockatoo. It was not long before my dream became a nightmare when my initially cuddly buddy started biting, drawing lots of blood, and leaving scars on each member of my family. Love was replaced by fear resulting in punishment by imprisonment for this magnificent beautiful bird. I NEEDED HELP. Consultation with a well-respected board-certified avian veterinarian resulted in a referral to animal behaviorist, Dr. Joanne Oliva-Purdy, the other option being to turn him over to a parrot rescue organization. Even in the initial interview over the phone, she had helpful advice to guide me in safely and peacefully coexisting with this aggressive bird until her home visit and evaluation. I completed her detailed questionnaire which not only helped me collect my thoughts and document the facts, but helped her to gain a thorough understanding of our problem. After her in-home consultation I finally had hope. Through her ensuing patient nonjudgmental instruction I have gained the knowledge and tools I need to restructure this companion pet relationship without feeling stupid or guilty. She has "held my hand" through this ordeal by being easily accessible and quickly responsive to my questions when I am faced with situations which leave me uncertain how to proceed. Because of her experience and background, she has a wealth of resources to draw upon. Her information is correct, her ideas work, and she is appropriately flexible in accommodating clients' needs with regard to the individual situations. ' ' Now my nightmares are subsiding. It has been months since my "dream bird" he has bitten or threatened ANYONE in the house. My problems are far from over, we both realize that, but I am comforted knowing that Dr. Oliva-Purdy is there to help.'

Cheryl Russo

2001/2002 Lectures/Appearances:

Public lecture.

"Introduction to the Behavior Modification of Parrots".

Sunday, April 29, 2001 from 2PM to 5PM.

At the monthly Meeting of The Bird Heard, a local Maryland bird club, held at the United Methodist Church of Savage, 9050 Baltimore St., Savage, MD 20763 (1 Block from Savage Mill) with Carol D'Arezzo, author of the book "Parrot-Toys & Play Areas" who will present a talk on "Toys, Games and Other Ways to Enrich your Parrot's Life" POC: Cindi Zampier, 410-290-5681 email: birdheard@home.com.

"Some Behavioral Whys and Ways of Parrot Care"..

Friday, June 8,2001 meeting of the Rocky Mountain Society of Aviculture at the Lakeside Center in Denver, CO at 7 PM.

"Some Behavioral Whys and Ways of Parrot Care.".

Wednesday, June 13, 2001 at 1:30 p.m.,
Dumb Friends League, Denver CO.

Sat., July 14, 2001, 7- 8 pm.

AM 680 WCBM (Baltimore, MD) PET-Spectives. "The holistic animal health show where your pet tells you to sit, stay and listen." Guest host: Debbie Winkler, director of Dog, Ears and Paws (a non-profit organization which trains assistance dogs) with Cindy Hill, training director of the Falls Road Animal Hospital call in at 410-922-6680.

"Introduction to the Behavioral Care of Birds".

at August 19,2001 meeting of the Baltimore Bird Fanciers club. .

Meeting is from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Meeting place: The Towson Library, York Rd and Chesapeake Ave, Towson MD. 410-887-6166 Limited street parking; garage parking in adjoining garage @$1.50 with validated ticket. For more info, contact: Kerry Doster, 410-252-2735, dos15@webtv.net.

Public lecture.

"Be prepared: Train your parrot".

Friday, March 15, 2002 from 7:30 - 8:30 PM .

At the monthly meeting of the Colorado Avian Resource, Inc., (CARI) held at the Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, (corner of 2nd & Yuma, Denver, CO (CARI#: 303-745-0713)

Public lecture.

"Be prepared: Train your parrot".

Thursday, April 4, 2002 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM .

At the monthly meeting of the Front Range Avian Society (FRAS) held at the CSU Vet Teaching Hospital, (300 W. Drake Road, room B-213) Fort Collins, CO (FRAS e-mail: FRASbirds@aol.com)