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For 46 years, Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s has cared for a unique colony of mixed-breed dogs with naturally occurring hemophilia — the same inherited bleeding disorder that affects more than 4,200 Canadians. Our goal is clear: to advance treatments and ultimately find a cure for hemophilia in people and animals.

The impact of this research has already been significant. Discoveries made at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s contributed to the approval of two gene therapy treatments now helping human patients worldwide. What was once considered impossible — a genetic cure for hemophilia — is now increasingly within reach.

The dogs in this program play a critical role in advancing medical knowledge, and their natural longevity has made it possible to study the long-term effects of gene therapy. Much of the research involves years of careful observation and routine blood collection, allowing researchers to study the long-term safety and effectiveness of gene therapies. This medical research uses minimally-invasive procedures that were developed over time to improve how these therapies are administered; they are now delivered through a peripheral blood vessel instead of a major vein — an important advancement for hemophilia patients.

The results have been remarkable: dogs that once experienced repeated, life-threatening bleeding episodes are no longer bleeding, and the quality of life of the dogs is significantly improved. These findings are regularly published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and continue to positively impact human and canine medicine.

The dogs are deeply valued as members of the Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s research community and receive lifelong care that meets or exceeds all federal and provincial standards. The facility is subject to regular unannounced inspections, including a 2024 inspection that confirmed its strong animal welfare record.

The university has always strived to re-home any of our dogs that are eligible, such as those born without natural hemophilia, into loving homes within the local community. Many of those animals have been adopted by people at Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s. However, we have made changes in our breeding strategy as part of our commitment to replace the use of animals where possible, to reduce the number of animals used, and to refine methods to improve animal welfare. As a result, we currently do not have any dogs eligible for adoption. Current federal regulations and Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines do not permit the rehoming of animals that have received gene therapy. Additionally, the risk in adopting-out dogs with hemophilia is too great for the ongoing welfare of the animal, as they require very careful and specialized care.

Â鶹¹ÙÍø’s is committed to the wellbeing of our animals, and to advancing the principles of the three Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) — accepted around the world as the standard for the humane and responsible use of animals in research. The university reports publicly on its Animal Use Data and has systems where people can report any suspected breach of animal welfare or compliance.