Veterinary science now recognizes and chronic stress as physiological barriers.
A healthy animal is not just one with clean teeth and a normal white blood cell count. A healthy animal is one that eats with enthusiasm, sleeps in safe places, and greets the world without fear.
Animal behavior and veterinary science are two sides of the same coin. As we continue to peel back the layers of animal consciousness, the veterinary profession will continue to move toward a more holistic, "whole-animal" approach. By treating the mind as carefully as we treat the body, we ensure a higher quality of life for the creatures that share our world.
Animal behavior and veterinary science are deeply interconnected fields that combine the study of why animals act the way they do (ethology) with the medical diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders. While animal behavior focuses on the evolution, development, and function of actions, veterinary behaviorists apply this science to improve animal welfare and the human-animal bond. Fundamental Frameworks of Animal Behavior