The traditional veterinary visit was a gauntlet of fear: slippery stainless steel tables, loud intercoms, strange smells, and restraint that bordered on wrestling. From a behavioral standpoint, this creates a conditioned fear response. An animal that has a traumatic exam today will be harder to examine next year—and harder to vaccinate, blood draw, or ultrasound.

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.

Modern veterinary science has moved beyond the "broken leg" model. We now use the :

Q: What are some current research areas in animal behavior and veterinary science? A: Current research areas include animal welfare, behavioral genetics, neurobiology of behavior, and conservation biology.