Veterinary Textbook on the Mental Health of Animals

August 26, 2005 — (ed. John Deen)

Blackwell Publishing announced the release this month of a veterinary textbook entitled Mental Health and Well-being in Animals. According to a recent press release, Dr. Franklin McMillan with Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine in Southern California wrote and edited the 21 chapter book. The publisher's website describes it as "...the first authoritative reference compiling the diverse information on the animal mind and combining the revolutionary advances in the cognitive sciences with the knowledge in veterinary medicine and clinical animal behavior. This book takes a descriptive and proscriptive approach to mental health, mixing the scientific research with practical information with clinical applications for veterinary health professionals to use in practice."

The book, authored by over 20 people, includes a chapter written by Dr. Temple Grandin entitled "Mental Well-being in Farm Animals: How They Think and Feel". Additional authors include Jaak Panksepp, a neuroscientist and reportedly the discoverer of laughter in rats.

According to the publisher, the target audience includes veterinarians, alternative medicine veterinary practitioners, veterinary students, animal behaviorists and animal welfare groups, among others. A short description of the book and the list of authors can be viewed at http://store.blackwell-professional.com/0813804892.html.