2025 Veterinary Heroes: Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC (Behavior)

Sponsored by VetriScience

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, blends clinical rigor, learning theory and a plain, human kindness to tackle some of the toughest behavior cases. As owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, co-owner of Instinct Dog Behavior & Training, and vice president of veterinary behavior for Instinct National, Pachel helps shape practice standards and education while delivering one-on-one care for animals and their people. That mix of leadership, mentorship and compassion is why dvm360 names him a 2025 Veterinary Hero in Behavior.

Pachel’s path to behavior medicine was a gradual narrowing of purpose. Trained at the University of Minnesota (DVM, 2002), he completed a residency at the Animal Behavior Clinic and became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in 2010. He’s also a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (IAABC), an internationally sought lecturer and an author of book chapters on topics such as intercat aggression and behavioral euthanasia. He lends his expertise to dvm360’s editorial advisory board and serves as an expert witness in legal cases involving animal behavior.

Still, the credentials only tell part of the story. “Hero is a big word,” Pachel says when asked what the award means to him. “It speaks to the value of what we all have the opportunity to do together, bettering the lives of pets and their people.” For him, the honor is less about a title and more about affirmation from peers that the often-quiet work of behavior medicine matters.

What drew Pachel to behavior wasn’t a single moment, but a focus on people: “I became interested in the field of veterinary behavior because of people and my desire to support them in their relationships,” he remembers, explaining that early patients allowed him to “dig deep, learn alongside them, and recognize [his] aptitude and passion for this field.” That people-first focus shapes how he practices and how he leads.

Those moments when an owner’s perspective shifts are the work’s greatest reward. “I love facilitating ‘aha moments’ when my clients can see the animal in front of them through a different lens, with a greater understanding and empathy,” he says. “Those moments absolutely feed my soul and allow me the opportunity to feel part of something much greater than just that conversation or consultation.”

Pachel emphasizes humility and resilience for those entering the field. His advice to fledgling behaviorists (and to his younger self) is straightforward: You won’t always get it right, and that’s part of the work. “You're not perfect, you won't always get it right, and there will be moments of struggle and hardship. There will also be moments of celebration, joyous tears, and heartwarming collaboration and treatment success. We experience both the mud and the lotus.”

That balance of clinical excellence paired with empathy, mentorship, and a steady interest in helping people as much as animals defines Pachel’s career. It’s also why colleagues and clients alike regard him as a leader in veterinary behavior and why his work continues to improve outcomes for pets and the families who love them.

“Supporting animals and their people through complex behavioral challenges is deeply human work,” he said in closing.

The 2025 class of dvm360 Veterinary Heroes will be honored at a celebratory luncheon in the dvm360 Fetch Kansas City Conference. Click here learn more or register for the event.