W-FIVE Shines Spotlight on Cancer Research, Treatment at OVC
May 04, 2009 - Campus Bulletin
The University of Guelph and the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) were featured on W-FIVE, Canada's highest-rated investigative news program, on Saturday. CTV's chief anchor Lloyd Robertson introduced the segment, calling OVC "a world leader in the care and treatment of animals" and explaining how treating cancer in animals can help in efforts to understand the disease in humans.
The half-hour segment, titled “Man’s Best Friend,” is available online in two parts. The show took viewers behind the scenes of OVC's animal cancer centre, where veterinary cancer specialists provide world-class diagnosis and treatment to dogs and cats from throughout Ontario and as far away as Quebec, the Maritimes and the northeastern United States.
The program featured interviews with the co-directors of U of G’s Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation: Prof. Brenda Coomber, whose work on cancer in humans is focused on the blood vessels that feed tumours, and Prof. Paul Woods, a veterinary oncologist in OVC’s small-animal clinic. Prof. Sarah Boston, a veterinary surgeon specializing in cancer cases, is also featured.
The story focused on two dogs: Blizzard, a Great Pyrenees receiving palliative radiation treatment for bone cancer, and Molly, a Newfoundland brought to OVC for diagnosis and treatment of a tumour growing in her mouth. Other cats and dogs being treated for cancer at OVC make cameo appearances, as do some of the dedicated people who provide the animals’ care.
This was the second time W-FIVE has produced a documentary at OVC. In 2004, “Never Give Up” followed faculty, students, clients and patients at the OVC Teaching Hospital. The original broadcast of that program earned W-FIVE some of its highest ratings ever, and the producers received the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association – Hill’s Pet Nutrition Public Relations Award.
