Dr. Daniela Zurr
Dr. Daniela Zurr's connection with animals started not with dogs or cats, but with turtles. As a small child in the late 1970s, she was fascinated by reptiles — and while every other child's turtle died within a year, hers thrived, because her mother went out and found proper husbandry information when none was readily available. "She taught me from the very beginning," Daniela says, "that we have a responsibility for the creatures we bring into our life."
That early sense of responsibility led her to veterinary medicine at the Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, where she graduated in 1999 and earned her doctorate the following year. At the same time, she completed her certification as a Tellington TTouch teacher — trained and certified personally by Linda Tellington-Jones. She is one of only around 20 certified TTouch Instructors for Companion Animals worldwide, and one of fewer than 10 TTouch for You Instructors — a qualification focused on working with people, which deepened her understanding of the human side of the equation and her commitment to holistic, science-based approaches for "both ends of the leash."
"The first part of the work is not about doing something — it's about observation. It's about listening to what the animal is telling you."
After 18 years as a veterinarian in a large, holistically oriented practice, she founded her own veterinary practice for behavioural medicine in Nürnberg in 2018. Today, with over 25 years of clinical experience, she works across a remarkably broad range of species — dogs, cats, reptiles, parrots, and zoo animals.
Dr. Zurr during a practical session · Photo: Katja Krauß
Together with Katja Kraus, she developed the ttouch-n-click Dog and Cat Trainer course, which combines Tellington TTouch bodywork with positive reinforcement training — bridging two worlds that are too often kept separate. She holds the Zusatzbezeichnung Verhaltenstherapie (the German board-level qualification in behavioural therapy) and is one of a small number of veterinarians authorised to train other vets in behavioural medicine. She is the editor and author of multiple books and book chapters, an international speaker and seminar leader, and teaches in countries around the world.
"Behaviour problems usually arise from fear, pain, discomfort, or a misunderstanding in communication. Our job is to understand which one — and address it."
Transformations
Case studies in change
Real stories from real guardians. Published with permission from Google Reviews.
Chicka
Mixed breed · Rescue from abroad
Ongoing— Martin Schano
Presenting concern
Canine cognitive dysfunction (dementia) with anxiety episodes
In their words
"We are so grateful that Dr. Zurr is treating our elderly rescue for her dementia and anxiety. The medication adjustment made an enormous difference. It is worth investing energy and expertise in an older dog — you can still make such a difference."
Carmen Schell's cat
Feline hyperaesthesia
Ongoing— Carmen Schell · Cat trainer
Presenting concern
Self-attacking episodes causing bleeding injuries. Previous specialist over-medicated.
In their words
"Before Dr. Zurr, a specialist just kept adding more medication, largely destroying her quality of life. Dr. Zurr supports us thoughtfully and holistically — we were able to discontinue or reduce much of the medication. When we hit an acute crisis, she was truly always there for us. Finally a veterinarian who is not only highly experienced but has kept her humanity."
Spirit
Mittelschnauzer mix · Rescue
10 weeks— Carmen Brünner-Timmermann
Presenting concern
Severe anxiety, panic attacks, and high aggression
In their words
"If I could give 100 stars, I would. We turned to Dr. Zurr in desperation. She took time to understand our situation, laid out all options clearly with pros and cons, and started a treatment plan immediately. Thanks to the medication and close follow-up, our life with our dog improved dramatically. Within 10 weeks, his behaviour improved so much that we can enjoy our time together again. The best decision we ever made."
Kubi
Mixed breed · Rescue
Ongoing— Nina Durst
Presenting concern
Severe noise phobia — terrified to go outside for walks
In their words
"His noise anxiety got worse and worse — he was afraid to go outside. We had tried everything. The improvement has been remarkable. A year ago he would jump into the hedge trembling at the slightest sound. Today he just glances up and carries on. She helped our dog have a life worth living again."
What Colleagues Say
Trusted by vets and trainers
"Dr. Zurr is very warm and charismatic. She explains everything in a way that's easy to understand, with really good analogies. After just 2 days we already saw an improvement in our dog. I can only warmly recommend her!"
Tanja Graf
Tamina the Maltese"I am incredibly grateful for the sensitive and professional care of my cat Alice. She suffers from severe anxiety, and I was particularly impressed by the various training instructions that help me guide Alice out of her fear. After just a short time I could see the first improvements. It's so wonderful to see Alice beginning to communicate with me."
Simone Schmitt
Alice the Cat"An exceptionally competent and empathetic veterinarian and behavioural therapist. Even with complex and difficult cases, she maintains a holistic perspective and develops a differentiated, individualised treatment plan. She has been supporting us for 2 years with the greatest expertise and empathy."
Dr. Mathias Hülser
Physician · Toni the White ShepherdOur Team
Veterinarians, trainers, and educators — each bringing decades of expertise in animal behaviour.
Dr. Daniela Zurr
25+ years in veterinary behavioural medicine. Doctorate from TiHo Hannover. TTouch Instructor for Companion Animals — one of only ~20 worldwide. Author and editor of multiple books, international speaker, and one of few veterinarians authorised to train others in behavioural therapy.
Tjadina Klein
Veterinarian specialised in behavioural medicine, with a focus on feline behaviour, medical training, and Cat Friendly Handling. Fear Free Certified Professional, ttouch-n-click cat trainer, international film animal trainer specialised in cats.
Katja Krauß
Founded GREH dog school in Berlin (1996). Officially recognised dog expert for Berlin and Brandenburg. Author of "Dogs in Translation," translated into six languages. Trains ttouch-n-click cat and dog trainers, therapists, and detection dog teams.
Barbara Glatz & Anna Oblasser-Mirtl
Behavioural biologist and CPDT-KA certified trainer. Co-founders of Austria's AnimalTrainingCenter (ATC) near Graz — home to Austria's largest assistance dog programme. Co-authors of "Medical Training for Dogs."
Bina Lunzer
Certified canine behaviour trainer (CBST, Ottawa — with distinction). Licensed assistance dog training facility specialising in PTSD signal dogs. Leading expert on families with dogs and young children — 500K+ YouTube views on her loose-leash walking protocol.
Corinne Kaelin
Certified dog trainer based in Switzerland with 1,000+ hours of advanced training. Founder of animalcoach.ch and dog-ibox (2011 — educational webinars for trainers worldwide), and co-founder of DOGLi, the enrichment app with 250+ activities.
Lisa Leicht
Practicing and teaching Tellington TTouch for 30 years (since 1996). Appointed TTouch Instructor in 2012, qualified to train and mentor teachers internationally. Certified adult educator, dog trainer, and sound therapist.
Dr. Denise Riggers
Veterinarian with a doctorate in feline chronic enteropathies. Cat Friendly Professional and Fear Free Certified Professional. Author, translator, and editor of veterinary literature. 31K+ followers on Instagram (@kitcats_katzenverstehen).
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