The Comparative Oncology Research Laboratory is a nationally recognized clinical research program which focuses on utilizing dogs with spontaneous tumors as comparative models of human disease, expediting the drug development pathway and the identification of biologically relevant therapeutic options. Our laboratory has developed scientific collaborations with a nucleus of academicians and scholars on and off the Urbana campus interested in malignant bone destruction, tumor cell metastases, and the evaluation of novel anticancer agents. Because the study of cancer is complex, a spontaneous tumor model, such as pet dogs, offers both basic and clinical cancer researchers unique opportunities to evaluate cutting-edge diagnostics and therapies most relevant for the management of human disease. Currently, our laboratory works together with scientists specializing in synthesizing anticancer small molecules and nanoparticle fabrication.