For much of the 20th century, veterinary science and applied animal behavior existed as parallel, rarely intersecting fields. Veterinarians treated physical pathology; behaviorists addressed “bad habits.” However, the last two decades have witnessed a paradigm shift. The modern consensus, supported by a growing body of evidence, is that . This review argues that the integration of animal behavior into veterinary practice is no longer optional but a core competency for effective diagnosis, treatment, and welfare.