The number one reason dogs and cats are surrendered to shelters is not medical expense or housing; it is . A dog that destroys the couch, a cat that eliminates on the bed, a horse that rears—these animals are labeled "bad" and often euthanized, despite a normal physical exam.

For decades, veterinary medicine focused almost exclusively on the physical health of animals—vaccinations, surgeries, and the eradication of parasites. However, as our understanding of the animal kingdom has evolved, so too has the realization that mental and physical health are inextricably linked. Today, the intersection of represents one of the most dynamic and essential fields in modern animal care. The Evolution of Clinical Ethology