Armed Forces News

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to sponsor a thorough investigation of existing projects that involve research on canines. Ultimately, VA hopes to significantly reduce the need to use dogs in experimental projects, the agency announced March 13. The plan calls for VA’s Office of Research and Development to conduct the review, which an external partner would review after its completion and present its findings. VA already has taken steps to reduce canine experimentation, implementing a policy last year that required approval from both VA Secretary David Shulkin and the research and development office. Since then, no new studies have been approved. Two existing projects were compelled to use other models besides canines.

“We look forward to a time when research involving canines is no longer necessary to advance the health of our veterans,” Shulkin said. “But until then, the agency has a duty to do everything in its power to develop new treatments to preserve and restore our veterans’ health.”