For veterinary professionals, the mandate is clear: learn the language of the species you treat. For pet owners, the mandate is equally clear: when you see a change in behavior, do not look for a trainer first. Look for a veterinarian.
Telehealth is also bridging the gap. Pet owners can now record video of their pet’s "strange behavior" at home and send it to a veterinary behaviorist. This is invaluable because a pet that is aggressive or fearful in the consulting room might act completely normal at home. Observing behavior in the natural environment allows for a more accurate veterinary diagnosis. For veterinary professionals, the mandate is clear: learn
Veterinary professionals are the most likely to suffer bite injuries. By understanding the "ladder of aggression" (the subtle signs of stress before a bite, such as lip licking, whale eye, and tense body posture), veterinary teams protect themselves. Telehealth is also bridging the gap
A veterinary clinic that ignores behavior is practicing incomplete medicine. An owner who ignores behavior is blind to their pet’s suffering. Whether it is a parrot plucking its feathers (a sign of medical or psychological distress), a horse that refuses a fence (possibly a sign of back pain), or a cat that stops grooming (classic systemic illness), the story is the same: Behavior is biology. Observing behavior in the natural environment allows for