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: Using behavioral principles to solve problems in companion, farm, and zoo animals.
While most articles focus on dogs and cats, the marriage of behavior and veterinary science is saving species.
One fascinating example of the intersection of animal behavior and veterinary science is the behavioral rehabilitation of zoo animals. Many zoos have programs aimed at rehabilitating animals that have been rescued from the wild or have developed behavioral problems in captivity. These programs often involve:
| | Explanation | |---------------|----------------| | Limited training | Most vet schools devote only a few hours to behavior; few grads become board-certified behaviorists (e.g., DACVB). | | Owner interpretation | Owners often misread behaviors (e.g., a “guilty look” is actually fear of punishment, not awareness of wrongdoing). | | Time constraints | Behavior history-taking requires 15–20 minutes, difficult in high-volume practices. | | Species bias | Emphasis on dogs/cats/horses; less on avian, reptile, or exotic behavior in standard curricula. |