About

Christopher Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC is a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, owner and lead clinician at the Animal Behavior Clinic in Portland, Oregon, and co-owner of Instinct Dog Behavior & Training Portland. He also serves as Vice President of Veterinary Behavior for Instinct National.

Dr. Pachel earned his veterinary degree from the University of Minnesota in 2002 and worked as a general practitioner for two years before beginning his behavior residency. He completed 3.5 years of residency under Dr. Jacqui Neilson's mentorship at the Animal Behavior Clinic before purchasing the practice in 2011. He became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) in 2010.

"His methodology integrates learning theory, medical knowledge, and individualized treatment planning to support patients and the families who love them."

Background & Approach

Over the course of his career, Dr. Pachel has operated house-call, office-based, and telemedicine-focused behavior practices, blending decades of experience with a compassionate, communication-driven approach to behavioral care. He is a strong advocate for the human-animal bond and for shaping behavior through compassionate, effective strategies.

In addition to clinical work, Dr. Pachel is an internationally sought-after lecturer and educator. He teaches courses to veterinary students at multiple institutions across the United States, presents at national and international conferences, and has authored multiple articles and book chapters on topics including Intercat Aggression, Behavioral Euthanasia, and Pet Selection for Animal-Assisted Therapy. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for dvm360 and is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant (CABC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC).

Beyond the Clinic

Dr. Pachel hosts Doc Talks, a monthly webinar series focused on real-world veterinary behavior cases. He is also a co-founder of LIMA Beings, an online community centered around applying learning principles and communication skills to shape behavior in kind, intentional ways. He is a respected expert witness in legal cases involving animal behavior.

Outside the office, Dr. Pachel enjoys distance running, strength training, and yoga. He's an enthusiastic supporter of the food, wine, and craft beer scene, and is always looking for new places to explore. He shares his home with his partner/husband of 25 years (also a veterinarian) and two young terriers, Loretta and Wallace.