Transforming Care for Pets and People
Bringing Noninvasive Therapy to Man’s Best Friend
The Claudine and Fritz Kundrun Veterinary Program is advancing a new frontier in medicine where innovative, noninvasive therapies improve the lives of animals while accelerating breakthroughs for humans.
For decades, veterinary medicine has lagged behind human care. That’s changing. By treating naturally occurring diseases in dogs, cats, and horses, researchers are gaining insights that are often more relevant than traditional lab models.
Companion animals share our homes, our environments, and many of the same health risks. As a result, they develop diseases that closely mirror human conditions making them powerful partners in discovery. This creates a virtuous cycle: humans help animals help humans.
Real Patients. Real Impact.
Advancing Veterinary Research
With donor support, the Foundation has funded nearly 30 veterinary studies exploring the potential of focused ultrasound.
Current research includes:
- Dogs: Treating osteosarcoma and stimulating immune response
- Cats: Reducing insulin resistance through neuromodulation
- Horses: Noninvasive treatment of equine sarcoids
Researchers are investigating treatments for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Cancer (osteosarcoma, lymphoma, liver and bladder tumors, soft tissue sarcoma)
- Neurological and metabolic diseases (brain tumors, diabetes)
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Benign but impactful conditions like lipomas and urinary tract stones
There are more clinical trials in the pipeline that will require an investment of $5 million over the next 3 to 5 years. The Foundation has received donations of $1.5 million and other organizations have agreed to co-fund $434,000. Thus, a funding gap of approximately $3 million exists.
Help us close this funding gap to revolutionize treatment for both animals and people. Each gift moves this work forward: funding research, supporting clinical trials, and giving more families access to cutting-edge care for their beloved animals.
Help Advance Life-Changing Treatments for More Animals and Humans
Multimedia
The following videos, podcasts, and more provide an overview of the exciting research happening in veterinary medicine.
Curing with Sound Podcast – Joanne Tuohy, DVM, PhD, and Tasha Hoover
Joanne Tuohy, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgical Oncology at Virginia Tech’s Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, investigates how histotripsy—a non-thermal focused ultrasound technology—could improve cancer outcomes for veterinary patients while advancing treatments that may benefit both animals and humans. We also talk with Tasha Hoover, whose two Dobermans participated in Dr. Tuohy’s groundbreaking clinical trials.
Curing with Sound Podcast – Eli Vlaisavljevich, PhD
Eli Vlaisavljevich, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Virginia Tech and a renowned innovator in histotripsy, the first completely noninvasive and nonthermal ablation method for treating cancer. He discusses human applications as well as the innovative work his lab is conducting in veterinary medicine, treating dogs, cats, and horses with naturally occurring tumors.
Ashish Ranjan, VBSc, PhD, on Focused Ultrasound for Veterinary Medicine
Ashish Ranjan, BVSc, PHD, a pioneer in the use of focused ultrasound in companion animals, discusses why he is excited about the technology’s potential.
State of the Field 2025: Veterinary Medicine
Learn more about the veterinary program in this 2025 snapshot, including clinical trials and research sites.
Stay tuned for the 2026 State of the Field report this summer.