It sounds easy at first glance.
Recruit dogs, cats and an occasional horse to be part of a clinical trial.
It’s not easy.
“Even though some of the tasks we do may seem simple, they are often more complex in practice,” said Dr. Maria Merodio, research scientist with the Clinical Trial Service in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “At any one time we may have up to 15 studies involving client-owned pets.
“We’re always looking for dogs and cats – and their owners – who are interested in participating.”
Clinical trials are studies that explore whether a procedure, treatment, diagnostic test or medical device is safe and effective. Trials help answer questions with the answers benefitting both animal and human health.
Merodio says the clinical trials can involve studies with pets with specific medical conditions. Or the trials can include both healthy and affected animals.
And like she said, dogs and cats are always needed for these studies. That includes trials that have been ongoing for any number of years.
“At this time, we are especially in need of healthy dogs between 1 and 8 years of age for an ongoing study that has been underway for the past four years,” Merodio said. “We have already recruited more than 100 healthy dogs, and we are now looking to recruit additional participants.”
Like Merodio, this isn’t a simple task.
It doesn’t get any easier once a dog or cat is enrolled. For long-term studies it is necessary for the animal to complete the trial. That involves continued and direct communication with the owner.
“Keeping owners engaged throughout the process can sometimes be challenging,” Merodio said. “Some studies require owners to spend a full day at the clinic, which can be difficult for many people.”
That challenge is also evident if there is no financial compensation to the owners. If the trial is sponsored by a veterinary industry company, many times those firms will cover the costs associated with the study procedure.
“However, in most cases, there is no additional financial compensation for participating,” Merodio said. “Some studies will enroll pets in critical condition, which can make it especially difficult to convince owners to participate, given the stress and concern that comes with their dog or cat being seriously ill.”
In her role, Merodio maintains consistent and proactive communication with clients regarding their pets enrolled in CVM studies. She closely follows each case to promote strong trial retention, address any concerns promptly, and ensures that every patient receives attentive, compassionate, and appropriate care throughout the study.
She typically works with data analysis and coordinates graduate and undergraduate students who are involved in the studies.
March 2026