A branch of medicine focused on the anatomy, physiology, and treatment of diseases in animals. Veterinarians are increasingly moving toward preventative care , which requires a deep understanding of behavioral cues. 2. The Behavioral-Medical Link

This integrative approach acknowledges that mental health is just as vital as physical health. A dog suffering from severe separation anxiety is experiencing a crisis of welfare comparable to a dog suffering from untreated arthritis.

As we look toward the next decade of veterinary medicine, the most effective clinicians will not ask, "Is this a behavior problem or a medical problem?" Instead, they will ask, "How is the behavior informing the medicine, and how is the medicine shaping the behavior?"

. It is primarily concerned with physical well-being, though modern veterinarians increasingly integrate behavioral health into their practices. Animal Behavior (Ethology)