A Tampa-based company says they have created a synthetic dog, with the hope of preventing shelter animals from ever being used in veterinary training.
The so-called “creation” will lead to “thousands of animals being saved,” says SynDaver Labs.
SynDaver already manufactures synthetic humans.
The synthetic dog comes with a fundraising campaign. The company wants $24 million to give 20 synthetic dogs to every accredited veterinary medicine college in the world. It says the schools will receive the canines for free.
SynDaver says that vet students currently learn surgical skills by practicing on live shelter animals. The animals are then euthanized after the labs. SynDaver says they want to eliminate that need.
“The campaign will begin to end a process known as terminal surgery labs,” SynDaver explains. “The product will immediately end the need for terminal surgery labs in veterinary medical schools and represents the beginning of the end of animal testing in general.”
The company worked with the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine to develop the canine. If more than $24 million is raised, SynDaver says it will start creating a synthetic cat, followed by a horse and cow.
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The synthetic canine is detailed and realistic so it will give veterinary students a platform to practice surgery, SynDaver says. “The canine utilizes SynDaver’s patented SynTissue, which mimics living tissue, includes a full list of functioning bodily systems, and has the capability to stimulate customized diseases, illnesses and medical complications,” the company explains.
The dog has a heartbeat and circulatory system, and bleeds when cuts are made.
