Medical Research

When a pet suffers from a disorder, often a cure or a new technique can be developed right at a veterinarian's clinic. The Washington State Animal Health Foundation (WSAHF) was established by the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association (WSVMA) to fund a variety of projects that could potentially benefit animals. The example below about a local veterinarian, Dr. Dolowy, best illustrates the value of research supported by the Foundation:

Dr. W. C. Dolowy observed that dogs’ teeth would fluoresce under a black light when bacteria were present. Furthermore, he observed that with proper cleaning the fluorescence disappeared. Eventually with modest funding, Dr. Dolowy published his results in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry and provided a practical method for veterinarians to check teeth after cleaning to ensure they are as clean as possible. Dr. Dolowy also extended these results to human teeth. With the help of two local dentists and six chemists from the University of Washington, he published four papers on the subject of fluorescence of human and dog’s teeth and the character of the chemical which fluoresces in tartar. This data is now in the National Museum of Dentistry, a subsidiary of the Smithsonian Museum. 

Research projects often do not require a great deal of money, but can offer far greater, immediate promise to advance animal health and provide exceptional results. If you are a veterinarian in need of research funding, contact the WSVMA at (425) 396-3191.

The Foundation exists exclusively on donations. Join us with your donation as we work to improve the lives of our pets. You can donate online by clicking the appropriate link below or mail the donation form in our Animal Health Foundation brochure.