In the early 1900s, veterinary science was a world of cold facts, focused primarily on the physical survival of horses and livestock . A "good" animal was simply a productive one. But as the decades turned, a few curious scientists began to ask a different question: What is the animal actually feeling?
The intersection of behavior and science is perhaps most visible in the examination room. For a long time, physical restraint was the standard method for handling fearful animals. This often resulted in trauma, injury to staff, and a complete breakdown of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
The following case studies illustrate the practical applications of animal behavior and veterinary science:
Just as human medicine has psychiatry, veterinary medicine has developed its own specialty: Veterinary Behavioral Medicine. This field acknowledges that animals suffer from mental health disorders similar to humans, including generalized anxiety, compulsive disorders, and clinical depression.
Additionally, functional MRI scans on dogs are helping researchers map neural pathways associated with emotion and cognition. This data is beginning to filter down to general practice, providing evidence-based protocols for treating cognitive dysfunction (dementia) in senior pets.