Decorative triangle shape on Animate Behavior About page

About Animate Behavior

Who We Are
Pebbles the penguin mascot of Animate Behavior
We exist to create meaningful change in the lives of our clients and their families. As a BCBA-owned practice, our entire approach is shaped by clinicians — not investors — which means clinical quality, ethics, and family voice drive every decision we make.
“I didn’t set out to build the biggest practice. I set out to build the one I’d trust with my own family. That single standard drives every decision we make — who we hire, how we supervise, what we sign our names to. The clinicians doing the work get the time, training, and support they need, because families deserve nothing less.” — Yaz Aboul-Fetouh, BCBA · Founder & CEO
Compassionate ABA, led by clinicians who care.

Founded and operated by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Animate Behavior is a boutique ABA practice serving Bay Area families from our Early Learner Center in Emeryville, CA.

Our Mission
To give Bay Area families the ABA experience we'd want for our own kids: a small, expert team that knows your child, programs you actually understand, and care that respects who your child already is.
Happy child playing upside down during ABA therapy at Animate Behavior
Child with caregiver during ABA therapy representing Animate Behavior's compassionate and inclusive care values
OUR VALUES
Our Values
Integrity — We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and professional standards. Client assent guides every service we deliver.
Client-Focused Care — Compassion, respect, and inclusion are the foundation of every program we build.
Diversity — We serve underserved and high-risk populations, and we reflect the communities we work with.
Clinical Rigor — Clinical competency and evidence-based practice are non-negotiable.
Growth — Staff and clients grow together. Always.
Our Clinical Leaders
Yaz Aboul-Fetouh, BCBA, Founder and CEO of Animate Behavior
Yaz Aboul-Fetouh
BCBA
Founder & CEO
Veronica Lavi, BCBA, Director of Clinical Operations at Animate Behavior
Veronica Lavi
BCBA
Director of Clinical Operations
Rudy Hernandez, BCBA, Senior Clinical Director Santa Clara County at Animate Behavior
Rudy Hernandez
BCBA
Senior Clinical Supervisor — Santa Clara County
Katie Turner, BCBA, Senior Clinical Director Alameda County at Animate Behavior
Katie Turner
BCBA
Senior Clinical Supervisor — Alameda County
Meet Waddles & Pebbles
Our penguin mascots Pebbles and Waddles are more than friendly faces — they’re symbols of curiosity, perseverance, and the joy of learning something new. You’ll see them throughout our center and our materials, helping kids feel at home from day one.
Animate Behavior logo: penguin beside the words ANIMATE BEHAVIOR
Animate Behavior LLC
5900 Hollis St, STE X, Emeryville, CA 94608
© 2026 by Animate Behavior