BOSS-NCAS participants who identify as current dog owners will be invited to participate in the Wisconsin Aging and Geriatric Dog study (WAGD). This is a study led by Freya Mowat, BVSc. Ph.D. DECVO DAVCO, a veterinary ophthalmologist and Associate Professor in the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine (Department of Surgical Sciences), and School of Medicine and Public Health (Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences).
The main goals of the study are to investigate parallel dog/human aging of the brain and senses (vision, hearing, sense of smell), and how the home environment affects healthy aging.
BOSS-NCAS participants who choose to participate in this study will be invited to bring their dog to the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine for an evaluation, to collect home environment samples, complete a questionnaire about the health, lifestyle, and environment of their dog, and complete a blood draw. Questions about this study should be directed to: bossdogs@vetmed.wisc.edu or phone (608) 235-7151.