CSU Animal Cancer Center

12/11/2025

Working in cancer care is hard, but letters like this keep us going ❤️

To the entire team at the Flint Animal Cancer Center –

I am writing to thank you for the extraordinary care and unwavering support you gave my soul dog, Stella, over the last two years of her life.

Facing a cancer diagnosis for your best friend is terrifying, but your compassionate and expert team at the FACC gave us hope and stability. Every conversation, every appointment, and every treatment was handled with a level of dedication that provided not just medical excellence, but true comfort.

You saw Stella as the unique, loving dog she was and treated her with dignity and grace. Stella was able to enjoy two more years of a beautiful, adventurous life because of your cutting-edge treatments. Knowing we had your expertise and support, even through the endless calls and emails, allowed me to focus on making the most of every day I had left with her.

Thank you for your tireless work and for supporting your patients and their families as you do.

With deepest gratitude, Angel

12/10/2025

Small dog. Big fight. ❤️ 💪

"Elsie is a nearly 13-year-old Boxer/Husky/Samoyed mix. I adopted her at 1.5, and she’s been a handful ever since. She has always been spunky, opinionated, loyal, and mischievous (just like her mother).

"In March 2025, Elsie was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma that took up most of her left arm within a month. We rushed to get her into surgery, and they were able to remove the mass, but the leftover cancerous cells threatened to spread anyway. Ultimately, we followed the FACC’s recommendation to remove her leg; they found the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and a**l sac.

"We desperately needed financial assistance to keep Elsie in the game, and that’s when we were introduced to Gracie’s Legacy.

"Upon her last check-up, we were able to utilize the grant to get an ultrasound and monitor the spread. It has slowed enough that we don’t have to make any more aggressive moves at this point. This grant afforded us the opportunity and time to make logical decisions and make sure we can give her the best life possible.

"Elsie has completely recovered from her amputation and continues running, jumping, sliding, and annoying her sister. If you listen closely, I bet you can hear her collar jingling from her excited for dinnertime hops. THANK YOU for helping us keep my soul dog as long as possible." - Laura, Elsie's owner

This holiday season, you can ensure that soul dogs like Elsie get the care they need. Give today: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/give-to-patient-assistance/

12/09/2025

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! Our clinical trial for dogs that have recently been diagnosed with a tumor called hemangiosarcoma of the spleen is still enrolling patients. This trial seeks to stimulate the patient’s own immune system to "Scout Out" and kill the cancer cells. All dogs will receive standard of care chemotherapy and will be randomized to receive either a novel anti-cancer vaccine or control vaccine. More information is available about this study on our website: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/clinical-trial/soch-scout-out-hemangiosarcoma-study/

This canine clinical trial for dogs with Hemangiosarcoma assess the safety and effectiveness of a specially designed vaccine.

12/09/2025

Today is International Day of Veterinary Medicine 🐾 ⚕️

Celebrated annually on December 9th, this day recognizes and appreciates the vital work done by veterinarians worldwide.

We're proud to work among the finest in veterinary medicine to care for animals and help all species conquer cancer.

12/08/2025

Global Collaborations 🌎

In order to win the fight against cancer, we need the best minds from around the world to work together. We're so lucky to partner with Drs. Michael Hay and Cho Rong Hong from the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre at the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau.

Dr. Boss and her team are collaborating with the New Zealand team on exciting radiation research projects. Drs. Hay and Hong recently visited and gave our team a wonderful presentation.

Innovative research knows no bounds.

12/06/2025

Lab Limelight ⚕️ 🔬

Introducing the Cancer Plasticity and Phenotypic Modeling Lab

Led by Dr. Jacob Cawley, the Cancer Plasticity and Phenotypic Modeling Lab is pioneering a transformative approach to cancer research. The lab focuses on understanding how cancer cells adapt and reorganize to form tissues, aiming to develop precise biomarkers and therapies that target gene regulation. By studying the inherent plasticity of cells—their ability to change gene activity in response to stimuli—the team seeks to unravel the complexities of cancer development and progression.

A key area of their research is hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer in dogs and a rare but deadly form in humans. The lab leverages insights into angiogenesis and blood vessel development to explore how hemangiosarcoma-specific plasticity can be redirected, potentially preventing catastrophic bleeding events associated with the disease.

Through this innovative work, Dr. Cawley and his team aim to redefine cancer treatment, offering new hope for pets and people alike.

12/05/2025

Expanding Horizons | Bettering Care 🔆

Welcome to our newly updated and expanded Nuclear Medicine & Radiation Physics and 3D Printing spaces at the Flint Animal Cancer Center.

As the Radiation Physics and Biology research program has grown, so has its footprint! We're proud to unveil the newly renovated spaces that house our small animal irradiator and 3D printing machines.

This expanded space will provide the team with room to add additional graduate students and continue to innovate better radiation therapy treatments. We're thrilled for the team to have the tools and room they need to continue their important work.

12/04/2025

With a $100,000 lifesaving investment from national nonprofit Petco Love, we’ve been able to provide care for so many additional pets whose families could not otherwise afford treatment, including Remi’s family.

Remi’s pet parent, Mike, was in Miami one day away from moving to Colorado. As he packed up his belongings from storage, he saw a shop owner across the street push away a puppy with a broom.

A while later, as Mike was resting in the shade, that same little puppy and his brother came up to him. Mike instantly felt a connection with these puppies. He took them home and soon, Remi and Rico, were Mike’s new best friends. He brought them to Colorado, and they’ve had the most amazing life together.

At eight years old, Mike found a lump on Remi’s hind shoulder. Unfortunately, it was deemed to be a sarcoma. Mike brought Remi to the FACC for treatment, where the tumor was surgically removed. He’s on his way to recovery now and hopefully has many years ahead of him with Mike and Rico.

“I cannot find the words in any of the four languages I speak to describe how grateful I am for this support, and how much it means to me and my family. I sincerely appreciate the generosity of Petco Love and all the awesome stuff you guys do at CSU to help pets and their families,” Mike said. “Thank you again for your kindness and assistance in this difficult time.”

Petco Love makes these hopeful stories possible.

12/03/2025

This holiday season, you can be the reason a family doesn’t have to choose between financial hardship and life-saving cancer care for their best friend.

At the Flint Animal Cancer Center, our Patient Assistance Grants help ensure that every animal has a chance at more good days, more tail wags, and more time with the people who love them most.

Your gift brings hope, healing, and compassion when it’s needed most. 💛

Give today. Give the gift of hope.

https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/give-to-patient-assistance/

12/02/2025

Happy Clinical Trials Tuesday! Colorado State University is excited to be taking part in a fully funded clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a novel investigational product for the treatment of oral melanoma in dogs. For more information on the study, visit our website: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/oral-melanoma-study-in-dogs/

Oral Melanoma Study in Dogs Patient Disease: Canine Oral Melanoma Study Name: Oral Melanoma Study in Dogs Primary Eligibility Criteria: Weighs at least 3 kg (6.6 lbs) Diagnosis of Stage III oral melanoma (not confined to lip) At least one measurable lesion with a longest diameter of ≥ 10 mm (≥ 1...

11/30/2025

As comes to an end, we just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU! ❤️

Our work is only possible through your unwavering support and belief in our team.

11/29/2025

This , we want you to know you're not alone! ❤️

A cancer diagnosis can be scary, but our team is here to help you understand pet cancer and navigate treatment options.

When you fill out the Pet Owner Information Request on our website, our team will answer general questions about cancer for your pet(s) and the oncology care offered at our clinic. There is no charge to pet owners for this service.

Learn more and get the support you and your pet need: https://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org/pet-cancer-information/