How can we better understand healthy aging in dogs?

Fill Out Our 3-5 Minute Questionnaire!

Enrollment Benefits

• Free comprehensive physical examination
• Free mobility and functional assessments
• Personalized information about your dog’s physical function
• Helping advance research that may improve healthy aging in future dogs
• Compensation for participation

Description

Helping advance healthy aging in dogs.

As dogs grow older, changes in strength, mobility, balance, memory, hearing, and smell can happen gradually. Our team is developing a Functional Aging Battery (FAB)—a collection of simple, non-invasive tests designed to better understand how dogs age.

By participating, your dog will help researchers develop new ways to measure healthy aging, identify early changes, and improve future veterinary care. The study is designed to be low-stress, includes imaging and specialized walking and standing data, and offers multiple opportunities to learn more about our best friends!

What we’re studying

The Functional Aging Battery evaluates several aspects of healthy aging, including:

• Mobility and walking speed
• Strength and balance
• Memory and problem-solving
• Vision and hearing
• Sense of smell
• Overall physical function

Our goal is to develop reliable tools that veterinarians can use to better understand aging and identify changes earlier in life.

Participation

The Functional Aging Battery (FAB) study includes four study visits over approximately 12 months:

• Screening Visit (owner and dog attend together)
• Day 0 Study Visit (drop-off appointment)
• 6-Month Follow-up Visit (drop-off appointment)
• 12-Month Follow-up Visit (drop-off appointment)

Before each study visit, owners will complete online questionnaires and simple at-home activities to help us better understand their dog’s everyday function.

What to expect during participation

Throughout the study, your dog will participate in a variety of assessments designed to help us better understand aging. These may include:

• Cognitive and behavioral activities
• Mobility and physical function assessments
• Physical, neurologic, and orthopedic examinations
• Collection of blood, urine, fecal, and oral swab samples
• Routine laboratory testing (CBC and blood chemistry)

Owners will also complete questionnaires throughout the study about their dog’s health, behavior, and daily activities.

Our team is committed to making every visit as comfortable and low-stress as possible, with plenty of breaks and positive reinforcement throughout the day.

Eligibility

Your dog may be a good match if they meet our basic eligibility guidelines

• Are 7 years of age or older
• Are able to participate in light walking and simple activities (with breaks as needed)
• Are comfortable interacting with new people in a research setting
• Can attend the scheduled study visits with their owner
• Owners are willing to complete questionnaires and a few simple at-home activities before each visit

We are interested in older dogs with a wide range of mobility, activity levels, and overall health. Whether your dog is still very active or beginning to show signs of aging, they may be eligible to participate!

What Happens Next?

• Fill Out Our Initial Owner Survey
• We will reach out to you about eligibility!

No commitment yet! If you have any questions for us, you can…

• Contact our FAB Study Coordinator: [email protected]
• Contact our FAB Study Clinician: [email protected]
• Contact our FAB Study Lead Researcher: [email protected]

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the Functional Aging Battery?

• The Functional Aging Battery (FAB) is a collection of simple assessments designed to measure different aspects of healthy aging in dogs, including mobility, cognition, strength, hearing, smell, and physical function.

Will my dog enjoy the testing?

• Yes! Most activities are designed as short games using treats, toys, and positive reinforcement. Dogs receive frequent breaks, and participation always moves at your dog’s pace.

Will my dog need sedation?

• No. Sedation and anesthesia are not required for participation in this study.
• Most assessments involve games, behavioral activities, and physical examinations.
• The study also includes routine sample collection—including blood, urine, fecal, and oral swab samples—which will be performed by our experienced veterinary team.

How long are study visits?

• Visits typically last several hours because we include rest breaks to keep dogs comfortable. Your dog’s welfare is always our top priority.

What happens if my dog becomes tired?

• Dogs can rest at any time. Individual assessments may be shortened or stopped if needed, and participation is always voluntary.

Enrollment Start

09/01/2026

Flyer

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Contact

FAB Study Principal Investigators: Dr. Margaret Gruen, [email protected], and Dr. Natasha Olby, [email protected]

FAB Study Lead Researcher: [email protected]

FAB Study Coordinator: [email protected]

FAB Study Clinician: [email protected]

Meet Our Principal Investigators!