The Animal Behavior Society is an international non-profit

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

 scientific society

Learned society

A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...

 that encourages and promotes the professional study of animal behavior

Ethology

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, and a sub-topic of zoology....

. It has open membership and also provides a certification and directory for animal behaviorists. The Society was founded in 1964.

Certification

Unlike the titles veterinarian

Veterinarian

A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....

, psychologist

Psychologist

Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...

, and psychiatrist

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...

, which in the United States are state licensed, the title "animal behaviorist" or similar titles can be used by anyone, regardless of their background. Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists have supervised graduate training in animal behavior, biology

Biology

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...

, zoology

Zoology

Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...

, and psychology (including learning theory) at accredited universities. They publish data based papers in peer-reviewed

Peer review

Peer review is a process of self-regulation by a profession or a process of evaluation involving qualified individuals within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards, improve performance and provide credibility...

 scientific journal

Scientific journal

In academic publishing, a scientific journal is a periodical publication intended to further the progress of science, usually by reporting new research. There are thousands of scientific journals in publication, and many more have been published at various points in the past...

s. Some are veterinarians who have completed a residency in animal behavior. They are full time professionally educated animal behaviorists who work with pet owners to solve behavior issues.

There are two levels of professional certification:

• Associate Applied Animal Behaviorist - Requirements include a Master's degree
  Master's degree
  A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
  
   with an emphasis in animal behavior, a research-based thesis, a minimum of two years of professional experience, and three letters of recommendation from other ABS members
• Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Requirements include those of the Associate level, plus a Ph.D.
  Doctor of Philosophy
  Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
  
  with an emphasis on animal behavior, and additional years of professional experience.