The dog had a one percent chance of survival, but doctors at the veterinary school treated Scout with aggressive chemotherapy and radiation that nearly eradicated his tumor.MacNeil was so grateful he took out the ad, a 30-second spot called "Lucky Dog" that opens with Scout running on the beach and tells the story of his survival.
The spot encourages viewers to donate to the veterinary school's research.
The dean of the school told WMTV that the ad is good for veterinary medicine as a whole and for cancer research that can also benefit humans.“This is an amazing opportunity not only for the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the School of Veterinary Medicine, but for veterinary medicine worldwide,” said the dean, Mark Markel.No, it’s not just to make themselves look adorable. Dogs curl up in a ball when they sleep due to an age-old instinct to keep themselves warm and protect their abdomen and vital organs from predators.
Research into animal cancer often informs how doctors understand cancer in people, he said. “So much of what’s known globally today about how best to diagnose and treat devastating diseases such as cancer originated in veterinary medicine."
MacNeil said he hopes the spot does some good."I hope it has a positive impact on cancer for animals and people, all over the world."
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