Cognitive dysfunction can have a significant impact on the human-animal bond. Chronic pain can have a direct impact on cognitive dysfunction and when left untreated it can hasten cognitive dysfunction. The lecture will describe normal aging processes, the pathophysiology of chronic pain and its relationship to cognitive dysfunction as well as revealing recent literature that may aid improving clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction. Learning Objectives 1. Gain understanding in clinical signs associated with the normal aging process versus those associated with cognitive dysfunction. 2. Understand the pathophysiology related to chronic pain effects on cognitive dysfunction 3. Discuss potential treatment options and strategies to help mitigate clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction