A message to our community from Roy Butler, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Care London
I know many people at St. Joseph’s as well as members of the public have been anxious to hear an update on the dogs previously involved in research at Lawson Research Institute.
After the research involving dogs ended on August 11, 2025, ownership of the dogs transferred to Western University’s Animal Care Committee (ACC) as part of the established processes. The ACC then assumed responsibility for the oversight and decisions regarding future placement opportunities for these dogs.
After careful review and consideration, the ACC has arranged to transfer all eight of the dogs to a trusted and fully accredited organization so they can start the path towards adoption. Six of the dogs went to this organization earlier today.
They will stay together for the time being – receiving ongoing care, socialization, enrichment and training to ensure they’re ready for family homes. The partner organization has experience with this breed of dog and with animals coming from a research program and they have an adoption rate that is higher than 90 per cent. To protect the wellbeing of the dogs and to increase the willingness of people to adopt them, this partner will remain anonymous.
The two remaining dogs will be transferred to the same partner organization shortly. These dogs are thriving in each other’s company and will continue to receive excellent care. We will share further updates as they become available.
