Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a veterinary context—has shifted from a niche interest to a core component of general practice. This change is driven by the understanding that a "healthy" animal is not merely one free of disease, but one that is mentally stimulated and emotionally stable.
The integration of animal behavior and veterinary science has also led to significant advances in animal training and handling. Veterinarians and animal trainers use positive reinforcement training methods to teach animals new behaviors, reducing stress and anxiety in animals and improving the human-animal bond. Moreover, understanding animal behavior has led to the development of more effective handling and restraint techniques, reducing the risk of injury to both animals and humans. Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a
Morris Animal Foundation : For 2026 industry outlooks on AI and genomics. Clinical ethology—the study of animal behavior in a