Clinical Trials
Exploring Clinical Trials for Pets
At Northwest Veterinary Oncology Services, we understand how difficult it can be when your pet is facing cancer. Alongside proven treatment options, clinical trials may provide additional opportunities for care. These studies not only offer access to innovative therapies, but they also help advance knowledge that can improve the lives of pets in the future.
What Are Clinical Trials?
Clinical trials are research studies that explore new ways to support pets with cancer through medications, therapies, or approaches to care. They are designed to answer important questions about safety and effectiveness, and every trial is conducted under careful oversight to ensure the highest level of monitoring and animal welfare.
For families, a clinical trial may represent one more option to consider alongside standard treatments. Participation can sometimes provide access to therapies or strategies not yet widely available, while also contributing valuable knowledge that may benefit other pets in the future. Throughout the process, families remain fully informed, actively involved in decision-making, and always in control of their pet’s care.
Most importantly, whether or not a clinical trial feels like the right choice, your pet’s comfort, dignity, and quality of life remain at the center of everything we do. Our role is to walk with you through the decision-making process with compassion and clarity, ensuring you feel supported no matter the path you choose.
For an example of how veterinary clinical trials are helping pets today, you can read about Lola, a dog who participated in a UC Davis study:
Dog Beats Cancer Odds After Successful Completion of Clinical Trial
Finding Clinical Trials
To explore opportunities, we recommend starting with these trusted resources:
A searchable database of ongoing veterinary studies: Veterinary Clinical Trials Registry
A curated list of clinical trials focused specifically on veterinary oncology: Veterinary Cancer Society – Clinical Trials
A leading academic center with current oncology and specialty clinical trials: Ohio State University – Clinical Trials Office
Benefits for Pets and Veterinary Medicine
Clinical trials offer more than treatment opportunities; they are an important part of advancing both veterinary and human medicine. For eligible patients, participation may provide the following benefits:
Access to Investigational Therapies: Pets may receive promising treatments that are not yet available outside of research settings.
Specialist-Level Monitoring: Trials are overseen by veterinary oncologists and research teams, ensuring thorough evaluation and attentive care throughout participation.
Financial Support: Depending on the study, certain costs such as diagnostics, treatments, or travel may be covered or offset.
Advancement of Knowledge: Each participant contributes valuable data that improves the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in animals, while also informing research that can lead to new discoveries in human medicine.
Increased Engagement in Care: Families are actively involved in the process, receiving regular updates and collaborating closely with the clinical team.
While clinical trials are not appropriate for every patient, they represent an important option for families seeking to contribute to medical progress. Participation ensures close oversight, prioritizes patient comfort and well-being, and supports discoveries that may benefit both pets and people for years to come.
Video Resource: Dr. Cheryl London – “Of Mice, Dogs, and Men” (TEDxOhioStateUniversity)
In this TEDx talk, Dr. Cheryl London, an internationally recognized veterinary oncologist, researcher, and educator who led the oncology residency and internship program at The Ohio State University, explains why dogs are such valuable partners in advancing cancer research. Dr. London served as Dr. Breit’s mentor during her residency at Ohio State, helping shape her approach to both compassionate patient care and evidence-based medicine.
Unlike traditional mouse models, which are highly uniform, cancers in dogs arise spontaneously and vary from one individual to the next, much like human cancers. This makes canine oncology an important model for developing and refining cancer therapies that can benefit both pets and people. Through examples from her work, Dr. London highlights how clinical trials in dogs not only provide access to advanced care for patients, but also generate critical insights that guide the future of both veterinary and human medicine.
“I would like you to think about our best friends in a very different way. Dogs add so much value to our lives; they provide service to those with disabilities, they protect men and women in uniform, and for many of us, they provide true companionship and unconditional love. But some day, a dog walking down the may very well save your life for a different reason: by participating in a clinical trial of a new drug that ultimately impacts your cancer treatment.”
A Thoughtful Choice
Deciding whether to enroll your pet in a clinical trial is a deeply personal decision, and there is no single “right” answer for every family. It is natural to feel both hope and uncertainty when considering this option. Our role is to walk alongside you, offering clear information, compassionate guidance, and open communication at every step.
We will help you understand what participation may involve, discuss potential benefits and limitations, and ensure that your questions and concerns are fully addressed. Above all, we want you to feel supported and confident in making the decision that best reflects your values, your family’s needs, and the well-being of your beloved companion.
Whatever path you choose, our commitment is to honor your pet’s comfort, dignity, and quality of life throughout their care.
How We Support You
If you are interested in a clinical trial for your pet, our team will walk with you through each step of the process. We can help you review potential options, assess eligibility, answer your questions, and coordinate directly with trial centers and specialists to ensure a smooth experience.
