For decades, the fields of veterinary medicine and animal behavior existed in relative silos. A veterinarian was traditionally seen as a "body mechanic"—focused on vaccines, broken bones, parasites, and organic pathology. An animal behaviorist, on the other hand, was seen as a "trainer"—concerned with obedience, habits, and the "soft science" of why a dog chews shoes or a cat avoids the litter box.
Furthermore, veterinary behaviorists are often called upon to evaluate animals in legal cases. The question of whether a dog is "vicious" or "reactive due to a hypothyroid condition" is a medical diagnosis, not a moral one. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) represents the pinnacle of this intersection. These are veterinarians who complete a residency in animal behavior, learning the nuances of psychopharmacology, ethology, and learning theory. Animal Sex Zooskool The Record
When the veterinarian learns to ask, "What is this behavior communicating about the body?" and the behaviorist learns to ask, "What medical condition might prevent this training from working?" we achieve the ultimate goal of veterinary medicine: prevention, relief, and cure. For decades, the fields of veterinary medicine and