Institute of Canine Psychotherapy

CBT, Operant Conditioning, and Counterconditioning are all scientifically proven methodologies. They have different intents, platforms, approaches, and goals, and therefore should be applied in accordance with these factors.

Operant conditioning is designed to teach right from wrong behavior using reactive reinforcements. Operant conditioning assumes the subject does not know right from wrong and is eager to learn and do the right behavior, given the right reinforcement. With puppies, this is commonly accurate, making Operant Conditioning the best method (when applied non-harmfully) during puppyhood. Operant conditioning can continue to be effective into adolescence and adulthood, but has also proven to be limiting, ineffective and even counterproductive.

Counterconditioning aims to change perception of the stimuli to change behavior. The main tools are association (associating a negative to a positive) and desensitization (repetition of the stimuli and associative element) to change perception of the stimuli causing behaviors. For this reason, the stimulus needs to be present, and the subject must associate the positive with the negative. Counterconditioning recognizes preconceived thought patterns driving behavior (as opposed to starting with “a clean slate”), it is a conditioning method that aims to recondition behaviors, working in a reactive state to change perception of the stimulus, and focuses on the behavior.

CBT works under the assumption the behavior is the result of an emotion and/or a decision based on a number of factors. For this reason, behaviors are not considered right or wrong, thus there is no need for reactive reinforcements. This does not mean CBT simply removes the reinforcement! CBT follows a completely different set of practices and principles.

CBT takes a proactive approach, meaning it proactively prevents thought patterns that lead to emotions causing behaviors. CBT achieves this by developing exercises that practice resetting the brain in situations that are positive and non-stressful. These exercises induce processing and decision making, which is then self-applied (due to intrinsic motivation) during more challenging times thus preventing the emotion and ultimately, the behavior.

For more information, please visit the ICP website

As with humans, we change and adapt the way in which we parent, teach, rehabilitate, interact, and communicate depending on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, age (brain development), individual personalities, history/upbringing, experiences, and simply the preference of the canine! The approaches and practices we employ with dogs should change and develop throughout the life stages of the dog, and as our lives, as caregivers, change.

Animal welfare is in a volatile state. Dogs are being euthanized and surrendered at an alarming rate, with behavioral/lifestyle issues being a main contributor. It is vital that trainers, behaviorists, veterinarians and other experts are equipped to provide pet parents, shelters and rescue organizations with the necessary skills and tools to make impactful changes.

Billie Groom, a long time resident of Saskatchewan, is the founder and CEO of ICP and the creator of CCBT.

Billie is a recognized leader in Canine Behavior and Animal Welfare, an accreditation supported by her over three decades of dedication to, and impact on, canines and the people who love them.

Her tenacity and dedication is recognized by industry experts and animal enthusiasts. Billie has appeared on shows such as Roku TV, LA Tribune, and CTV, and is featured in Psychology Today Magazine by Marc Bekoff. She is the guest on many podcasts, including The Vet Blast, and is a returning guest speaker at the Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Conferences and Animal Behavior Society Conferences. She is the author of an award-winning book and has her own podcast, which is ranked in top five in the animal category. She is a recipient of the 2024 Best Business Award and has received many accolades throughout her career.

Billie is honored to accept the request to be a TedX Speaker (2025) and to present at Hartpury University in the Animal Assisted Therapy Program (2025).

In 2022, Billie completed the Brain Development in Life Stages Courses by Dr. Kathy Murphy, and in 2023 completed the Cognition and Emotions to Improve Animal Welfare course offered by the Swedish University of Agricultural Science as part of their PhD program. She began the PhD program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University in which she excelled; however, made the decision to leave the program to pursue a path aligning with her goals, ethics, and principles. Billie launched ICP, and is pursuing her PhD in Transpersonal Ecology at the University of Sedona.

Her “unintentional” success as an innovator, disruptor, entrepreneur, and behaviorist opened the doors to connect with psychologists, psychiatrists, veterinarians, scientists, rescue organizations, and industry experts. Her desire to continue her learning journey led to extensive volunteer work, research, collaborative projects, courses, studies, and uncountable “chinwags”, all of which expanded her knowledge and led to the creation of the Institute of Canine Psychotherapy.

Billie accredits her success to her method, Canine Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is the product of her relentless pursuit to ensure all dogs are understood, respected, and encouraged to thrive cognitively and emotionally, thus preventing surrender and euthanasia. The support and trust from the rescue organizations and the dogs in the early stages of her journey was vital to the development of this method, and the thousands of lives she has positively impacted.

Her extensive hands-on experience working with hundreds of dogs, including dogs from the fighting circuit, Korean meat market, backyard breeders, reputable breeders, and war zones, as well as discarded working dogs, and free-roaming dogs from Central America, Canadian northern reservations, and United States, combined with her formal education formed her independent, less-than-direct, albeit, interesting, fulfilling, and rewarding, personal and professional journey.

Dr. Alexandra Angela, NEUROSCIENTIST, teaches the course on Brain Development in relation to behavior, focusing on the Adolescent stage. Lexi resides in Spain.

Dr. Cristina Diaz-Madronero, VETERINARY SURGEON, RCVS, is a veterinarian in the UK who specializes in skin care, health and safety. She teaches the course on Emergency Pet Care, allowing pet parents and professionals to safely pursue activities with their furry friends.

Dr. Razia Aziz-Seible, BIOSCIENTIST, is an expert in molecular biology and the effects of molecules on behavior. She is also an expert on making this topic easy to follow, fun, and useful!

Dr. Oluwaseun (Serah) Iyasere GLOBAL IMPACT EXPERT, offers a course for animal welfare advocates to bridge the gap between animals and humans and to elevate student's impact globally.

Kat Atkings, BUSINESS & MARKETING SPECIALIST, teaches the necessary business skills to ensure the ICP students excel in their professional goals.

Michael Overlie, CANINE-POWERED HUMAN CONSULTANT, provides an online course to ensure volunteers, professionals, and pet parents are equipped with the tools to emotionally overcome the challenges faced in the human-animal sector.

Billie Groom, CANINE PSYCHOTHERAPIST, teaches the signature course, certifying professionals and canine enthusiasts as Canine Psychotherapists.