For the veterinary professional, the imperative is undeniable. You can perform a perfect cruciate ligament repair, but if you send that dog home into a chaotic, under-exercised, anxiety-provoking environment, the healing will fail. You must prescribe rest and routine; pain relief and predictability.
This specialized branch involves the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders that are either pathological or severely disruptive to the animal's life. (PDF) Why Veterinarians Should Understand Animal Behavior