Dog
Dogs, although one of the least common animals needed for research, are among the most important. Many cancers in dogs are identical, or almost identical, to human cancers. The cancer in dogs often develops faster, making them an ideal model to see if a certain therapy is effective. Many breeds of dogs experience spinal cord injuries with damage similar to the injuries suffered in people. This makes dogs very important for spinal cord injury research.
Dogs are also valuable in safety and efficacy studies for new drugs because their systems often react the same as in humans. Research involving dogs helps both people and other dogs.