Advertisement University holds trial to help paralyzed dogs Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A new clinical trial at one university could give paralyzed dogs a second chance at walking.Watch this storyPatients travel thousands of miles to Iowa State University for the chance to have their pets feel their legs again.At the College of Veterinary Medicine, veterinarians are conducting a type of trial for spinal cord injuries and it’s the only trial of its kind worldwide.Christian Merry and her dog came from New York to Iowa for much more than the Cyclones.“I was willing to travel to the UK when I first heard about it,” Merry said.Dr. Hilary Hu tested one dog’s reflexes that made his second visit to Iowa State. He's a patient in a clinical trial for paralyzed dogs with severe spinal cord injuries."We can't expect a miracle. We can't expect one treatment that's going to fix all the problems but we are hoping for progress," Hu said.Veterinarians are testing out a new treatment that's injected into a dog's spinal cord. Each dog makes four visits to the hospital, which also includes a week of rehab therapy.Merry first met her dog, Oscar, at her vet, who was on doggy death row at a local shelter.“For all of the things that he's been through, just being dumped on the street. Then for all of the joy he gives people, we have to try and give him a chance to walk again,” Merry said.He won't be doing it alone. He has his owner, hospital staff and other dogs all waiting for the chance to run on all fours.Only 15 dogs are currently in the trial, and researchers are looking for 60, meaning there are 45 more openings for dogs.Veterinarians hope to complete the trial in 2016. If it's successful, they might be able to translate the treatment to humans with similar type injuries.