My name is Karolina Westlund, and I help pet guardians and people working professionally with animals to get happier, reasonably well-behaved animals that thrive in the care of humans.

I teach animal behaviour management through blog posts, online masterclasses and webinars, as well as more extensive online courses. I’m an associate professor of Ethology at Stockholm University and sometimes publish scientific articles related to enrichment, animal training, behaviour and wellbeing.

I also sing in an acapella group called Vocal Brand, and I dabble in Musical Theater as well as Impro Theater.

I have two sons, a cat and my husband and best friend Tobias by my side, whom you’ll likely meet if you ever buy one of my courses – he helps out with the boring bits (technology and anything money-related).

I’m deeply rooted in ethology, but I believe the best solutions come when we look at animal behavior from all angles. Whether it’s ethology, affective neuroscience, or applied behavior analysis, it’s the mix of different scientific perspectives that really makes the magic happen.

The field of applied ethology has taught me how to enrich animals’ lives – helping them reduce stress, express natural behaviors, and live happier, healthier lives. From reducing stereotypic behaviors in farm animals to creating engaging environments for zoo animals or pets, enrichment is key. But enrichment is not just about keeping animals busy – it’s about helping them thrive.

I’ve also taken a deep dive into the world of animal emotions and affective neuroscience. Understanding the importance of the animal’s underlying mood state has transformed the way I approach behavior management. It’s about prioritizing what truly matters – making sure that the animal feels safe, which is vital for brain development, stress resilience and positive welfare.

When it comes to problem behaviors, I bring in the science of applied behavior analysis. By understanding the root causes of behavior – what triggers it and what maintains it – we can make changes to the environment and find animal-friendly, lasting solutions. Also, this perspective helps us teach animals to be active participants in their own care. We can improve the human-animal relationship and give animals the ability to control important events.

All of this comes together in my approach to behavior management: scientifically grounded but always practical. Whether you’re an animal professional or a dedicated pet owner, you’ll find something relevant to your situation in my blog posts or courses. My work spans pets, zoo animals, farm animals, and even laboratory animals.

By this approach, we can create lasting behavior changes while promoting trust and happiness. It’s not just about modifying behavior – it’s about improving the animal’s life.

If you’re looking for my blog or online courses, follow this link.