the medical issue. Separation anxiety, compulsive disorders, and cognitive dysfunction in aging pets are now treated with a mix of neuroscience

Studies show dogs can smell human stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline). Fear-free clinics use synthetic appeasing pheromones (dog-appeasing pheromone, or DAP; Feliway for cats) to calm patients before touching them.

"He’s been snapping at shadows," his owner, Sarah, whispered. "I thought it was a brain tumor. I’m prepared for the worst."