Founder and Director of The Animal Cancer Foundation | SOP ep. 46 - Dr. Gerald Post & Barbara Cohen

In this highly anticipated episode, we welcome Dr. Gerald Post, a board-certified veterinary oncologist and founder of the Animal Cancer Foundation, along with Barbara Cohen, the executive director of the foundation. Join us as we delve into the vital intersection of comparative oncology, exploring how advancements in veterinary medicine can illuminate new paths in human cancer treatment. Dr. Post shares the heartfelt story behind the founding of the Animal Cancer Foundation, discussing his experiences at Memorial Sloan Kettering and the critical need for funding research outside institutional boundaries. Together with Barbara, they emphasize the importance of collaboration between human and veterinary oncologists, highlighting how both fields can learn from each other to improve cancer therapies and outcomes for our beloved pets. Listeners will gain insight into the groundbreaking work being done at the Animal Cancer Foundation, including funding innovative projects and webinars that educate pet owners on the realities of pet cancer. We also explore the emotional journey faced by pet owners, as Barbara shares her personal motivations for dedicating her life to this cause. Throughout the conversation, we discuss the importance of quality of life in treatment options, the impact of pharmacogenomics in veterinary oncology, and the exciting potential of comparative oncology in revolutionizing cancer care for both pets and humans. https://www.vetco.org/en/about/speakers/item/57-gerald-post Barbara joined Animal Cancer Foundation as Executive Director in 2009 because the mission to unite pet and human cancer research resonated with me. As a decade long volunteer with golden retriever rescue, I had witnessed how many dogs were fighting the same cancers that friends and family had also contracted. I was amazed at the information veterinary oncologists had acquired in their care for our pets that wasn’t being tapped by oncology research for people. I want to change that so that both pets and people benefit from the breakthroughs of collaborative research. Barbara received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and certification in the Community Health Program from Tufts University. She earned a Masters of Science in Secondary Education/English from Long Island University/CW Post. --- Your furry friend’s health and happiness is paramount & while most pets are generally healthy, they may sometimes develop hyperkeratosis - a condition characterized by an excessive build-up of keratin proteins on the nose and paw pads causing the skin to become thicker than normal. Vetrimax Solva-Ker Gel is a quick drying, greaseless healing gel for dry/cracked skin and paws for dogs, cats, and horses. With proper care, hyperkeratosis is highly manageable, and Solva-Ker Gel is the industry-leading treatment, with ingredients salicylic acid producing skin turnover and urea which holds in moisture. This clinically proven, patented formulation is the country’s #1 veterinarian-recommended solution for idiopathic hyperkeratosis. VetriMax Solva-Ker Gel takes less effort to yield maximum benefit. Today, our podcast listeners can try Solva-Ker Gel with an incredible 15% off at Chewy.com by entering promo code VETRIMAX15 at checkout. Order today at chewy.com and save 15%! --- Support our sponsor for this episode Blue Buffalo by visiting bluebuffalo.com. BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet formulas offer the natural alternative in nutritional therapy. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents. --- All footage is owned by SLA Video Productions.