The link between behaviour health and welfare: a species-spanning and interdisciplinary approach

Behaviour, health, and welfare of animals are deeply interconnected. Veterinary professionals must understand these relationships to provide the best possible care for the animals entrusted to them. Within the veterinary curriculum, special attention should be given to species-specific behaviour and to how behavioural observation can serve as an indicator of an animal’s health and welfare status. Among the species cared for by veterinarians, food-producing animal such as pigs, cattle, and poultry hold a unique position. Optimising production while safeguarding welfare poses distinct challenges that require knowledge, observational skills and interpersonal skills.

At the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University, we use a dynamic concept of welfare. In short, animals must be able to adapt to their environment through normal, species-specific behaviour in order to reach a state they themselves perceive as positive. This definition underscores the central role of behaviour in determining whether an animal is experiencing (positive) welfare. To understand and improve animal welfare, specialised knowledge in ethology, neurobiology, and (patho)physiology is essential, enabling a truly integrated perspective.

As a veterinarian specialising in animal behaviour, I aim to bridge the gap between ethology and (patho)physiology. My broad background in both companion animal and farm animal medicine helps me recognise overarching principles while also appreciating species-specific nuances. One overarching theme I am particularly drawn to is how early-life experiences shape behaviour, health, and welfare later in life. During certain developmental phases, especially the rapidly developing brain in the juvenile period, animals are more sensitive to internal and external influences. Stimuli experienced during this time can have lasting effects on physiology and behaviour, potentially even influencing future generations through epigenetic mechanisms. This is especially relevant in farm animals, who often undergo numerous early-life interventions such as mutilations, maternal separation, and social mixing. For this reason, my work primarily focuses on production species, particularly pigs and small ruminants.

Although research is vital for advancing understanding of farm animal behaviour and welfare, teaching is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role at Utrecht University. Training the next generation of veterinarians and equipping them with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to advocate for animal welfare is extremely important to me. I lecture in courses such as Behaviour and Welfare and Ethology and Welfare, and I supervise master’s students during their research projects. I also coordinate the elective course Pediatrics, which aligns with my interest in early-life development. I believe that teaching should be tailored to the needs of individual students, which is why mentoring and personalised guidance are particularly rewarding parts of my work.

Ultimately, I hope that my clinical background and interest in animal behaviour will help bridge the gap between veterinary medicine and ethology, and that my personalised teaching approach will support future veterinarians in becoming knowledgeable, compassionate advocates for animal welfare.