Changes in behavior are often the first or only sign of underlying medical disease.

Veterinarians use a combination of strategies to address behavioral concerns:

Fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) are common in veterinary settings, leading to:

The clinics that survive the next decade will not be judged solely by their surgical suite or ultrasound machine. They will be judged by their waiting room pheromone diffusers, their low-stress handling tables, and their willingness to prescribe Prozac for a dog who is afraid of the world.

This report is intended for veterinary students, practicing veterinarians, and veterinary support staff seeking to integrate behavioral principles into clinical practice.