Dear Pet Lovers:

The Centre for Companion Animal Health at the University of Queensland welcomes you to our web site.  The Centre was founded in October 2002 to improve the health and welfare of companion animals and enrich human-animal relationships.

The Centre is the investigative arm of the Small Animal Clinic and Teaching Hospital, and its studies help develop new diagnostic and treatment modalities, and enhance clinical practice.  Our studies build on the invaluable work of academic staff within the School of Veterinary Science.

Our studies at the Centre for Companion Animal Health (CCAH) aim to:

• Improve the health of companion animals through a better understanding of the cause of disease and development of better treatments.  The Centre is an international leader in feline and canine diabetes and obesity research.  Many other areas of study are planned that will improve the health and welfare of companion animals (dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other pets).

• New areas of research include studies which enrich the human-animal relationship for the benefit of animals and society, in particular, for the aged, disadvantaged and disabled people

• Our other main area of study is aimed at preventing unwanted pets through improved socialisation, re-training, re-homing, neutering and community education.

Studies into companion animal health are important and impact directly or indirectly on almost everyone.  As the demographics of society changes, increasingly we have an ageing population, a greater proportion of single-person households, childless couples, and smaller family sizes.  The human-animal bond is very important in contributing to the health and welfare of the community, particularly with these changing demographics.

A profound respect for animal life and excellence in studies are guiding principles of the Centre for Companion Health. All of the Centre’s programs and studies are in accordance with a set of principles.

Our values are demonstrated by our commitment to:

• Only conduct non-terminal and minimally invasive studies in healthy animals
• Never create disease in healthy animals
• Always treat animals in the Centre’s studies with respect, dignity, kindness and the very best of care, as if they were our own pets

For our healthy dog and cat studies, we partner with cats and dogs that were scheduled to be euthanised by pounds, and commit to retraining and rehoming them.  We give them the same care as we would our pets.  Rescued dogs and cats help the Centre find answers. We help them find new homes.

We are recognised internationally as leaders in feline diabetes and obesity studies and have made a significant impact on feline health with our work. Our studies have shown that the remission rate in newly-diagnosed cats with diabetes can be increased from 25% to more than 90% using an ultra-low carbohydrate diet and a new insulin therapy. This work has received world-wide recognition.

As Director, my priority for the Centre is to increase our contribution to pets and the community, through Centre studies in our 3 main areas: companion animal health, enriching human-animal relationships, and preventing unwanted and problem pets.

I hope you will enjoy our web-site and find it informative and useful. It will continue to grow in size and complexity, as the Centre continues to expand in magnitude and scope.

Thank you for your support

Jacquie

Jacquie Rand
Director, Centre for Companion Animal Health