Understanding species-typical behaviors allows veterinarians to advise clients on preventive care.
However, behavior-based veterinary protocols are changing this. The rise of "Fear-Free" veterinary practices is a direct application of behavioral science to clinical medicine. By understanding species-specific body language (whale eye in dogs, piloerection in cats, pinned ears in horses), veterinarians modify the environment: piloerection in cats
: African buffalo herds display "voting behavior" when deciding where to travel. Female buffalo register their preference by standing up and looking in a certain direction before lying back down. pinned ears in horses)