Muscular Dystrophy Research
DMD is a devastating disease that affects both children and dogs. It is a genetic disease that affects boys, all of whom die early in life, living only into their twenties, but only after much suffering. Any parent with an affected child is acutely aware of how devastating this disease is, not only to the affected children but also to their families.
The dogs with DMD at Texas A&M are treated with great care and tenderness, as they help unravel the mysteries and potential cures for this dreadful disease. Not only do our people who work with these dogs truly care about them as individuals, the work being conducted is highly regulated and there is rigorous oversight of their care by a number of organizations, including:
- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
- NIH (National Institutes of Health)
- DOD (Department of Defense)
- AAALAC (Accrediting body that comes around every 3 years)
It saddens us that without full knowledge—of what we are doing, how the dogs are treated, and how close we are to an effective treatment—groups have taken a rigid position and are using slander that adversely affects the opinion of those who don’t know all of the facts.
Please be assured that those who work with our dogs have chosen to devote their lives and careers to the care and well-being of all animals.
