Frequently Asked Questions
What is CANDO?
The Canine Action Network to Defeat Osteoarthritis (CANDO) is a collaborative powerhouse of dedicated veterinary leaders and researchers united by a single mission: accelerating the science of mobility. We bridge the gap between individual expertise and collective action to defeat osteoarthritis. By focusing on high-impact research in dogs with naturally occurring arthritis, we aren't just improving the lives of our canine companions—we are charting the path toward a cure for both animals and people.
What makes CANDO unique?
CANDO moves beyond the traditional 'siloed' approach to research in dogs with osteoarthritis. While most studies in this field are limited to single institutions with small sample sizes, CANDO's multi-center approach ensures larger datasets and quicker enrollment. Crucially, we believe that bridging the gap between academia and private practice is the key to success. Because private practices see a significantly higher volume of patients, their involvement allows us to enroll cases more rapidly and ensures our research reflects the real-world needs of dogs and their owners.
Why do you focus on arthritis?
Osteoarthritis or arthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain and mobility loss in both dogs and humans, affecting millions of lives globally. Despite its prevalence, breakthroughs in long-term treatment have been slow. We focus on arthritis because it is a naturally occurring disease in dogs that almost exactly mirrors the human condition. By studying arthritis in dogs who are living their normal lives at home with their owners, we gain insights that laboratory settings simply cannot provide. This makes arthritis the perfect 'bridge' for translational medicine—where a discovery that helps a dog regain their mobility can directly inform a treatment that helps a person do the same. By defeating arthritis in dogs, we are unlocking the key to a more mobile future for everyone.
Why study the dog as a model?
Dogs are our best partners in solving this problem because their arthritis almost exactly mirrors our own. Unlike laboratory settings, studying dogs in their natural homes provides "real-world" data. Because dogs age faster than humans, we can discover safe, effective treatments in a fraction of the time, benefiting both ends of the leash.
What is a clinical trial?
It is a structured study evaluating how a new treatment—like a medication or diet—works in real-world patients. At CANDO, we study client-owned dogs with naturally occurring arthritis. By collecting both subjective (owner observations) and objective (clinical measurements) data, we determine if a treatment is truly effective.
How can my dog participate in a CANDO project?
Please visit our 'Research' section to see open studies at our partner locations. Please check with the specific project lead for details.
How does CANDO handle industry partnerships or corporate funding?
We maintain strict independence. While we welcome industry support, CANDO retains full control over trial design, data analysis, and the decision to publish. Our results are driven by science, not sponsorship.
Who oversees the ethics of CANDO studies?
Every study must pass a double-layer of protection: first, through the local Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or Clinical Review Board, and second, through our own Scientific Advisory Board's internal review to ensure patient safety always comes first.
Other Questions?
Please contact us!
