Meet Tabitha

I’ve always had a deep connection with animals for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by them: cats, dogs, rabbits, turtles, and anything else I could convince my family to welcome into our home. 

In high school, I began volunteering with animal rescues. That experience opened my eyes in a way I’ll never forget. I saw how deeply people love their pets, and I also saw how quickly things can become overwhelming when behavior challenges show up; when fear, stress, or misunderstanding starts to take over. I remember thinking, there has to be a better way to support both the animal and the person who loves them.

That feeling is what led me into veterinary medicine. I became a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) in 2010 and worked in both general practice and animal welfare. I learned so much during that time, but one thing stood out again and again: so many animals were struggling not because they were “bad,” but because something deeper was being missed—pain, fear, anxiety, confusion, or unmet needs that weren’t always obvious at first glance.

That realization changed the direction of my entire career.

I quickly became dedicated to learning about the root causes and long-term, meaningful solutions to feline and canine behavior concerns. I immersed myself in behavior science through continuing education, workshops, and learning directly from experts in the field. I completed certifications in Low Stress Handling and Elite Fear Free practices, became a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP), and earned my Certified Cat Behavior Consultant designation through the IAABC.

I also went on to achieve my Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Behavior, a designation held by fewer than 35 professionals worldwide.

Alongside my work with pet caregivers, I’ve also developed a strong passion for supporting and educating colleagues in veterinary medicine and animal welfare. Whether working with a veterinary team, a shelter, or an individual caregiver, my focus is the same: helping people better understand behavior, reducing stress in care environments, and improving outcomes for both animals and the humans who care for them.

I’ve sat with people in times of frustration, guilt, confusion, and heartbreak. And I’ve also witnessed the relief that comes when things finally start to make sense, when behavior stops feeling like a mystery and starts feeling like communication.

Chirrups & Chatter was born from that space.

A belief that behavior is never just behavior. It’s information. It’s emotion. It’s context. And when we take the time to understand it, everything changes, not just for the animal, but for the relationship as a whole.