Unleashing Hope: Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure Transform Canine Cancer Care
Marking two groundbreaking years of innovation, Thrive Pet Healthcare, a leading veterinary care community with more than 380 hospitals in 37 states and FidoCure have come together to transform cancer care for dogs across the nation. Through this partnership, families facing the heartache of canine cancer are being given a renewed sense of hope—and, for many dogs, a second chance at life.
Since the collaboration began in 2022, more than 50 veterinarians from Thrive Pet Healthcare have used FidoCure’s precision medicine platform in approximately 400 canine cancer cases. FidoCure has provided these patients with next-generation sequencing to help guide treatments using its patented precision medicine technology, which caters to each patient’s cancer drivers.
“As one in four dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime, advances in cancer care are essential,” said Dr. Julie Bulman-Fleming, National Specialty Director of Medical Oncology at Thrive Pet Healthcare and oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Group in Orange County, California. “Through our partnership with FidoCure, we can provide targeted chemotherapy tailored to a pet’s specific needs.”
Venya, a 13 ½-year-old German Shepherd, is one of those patients. Her cancer journey began in February 2019 when she was diagnosed with a bleeding tumor in her stomach. Shortly after, Venya was also diagnosed with splenic hemangiosarcoma, an aggressive cancer with a grim prognosis. However, her owner, Ben Monaco, chose to pursue genetic-based testing through FidoCure, leading to a targeted treatment plan that helped Venya beat the odds.
“Venya has been the center of my world for the last 13 years,” said Venya’s owner, Ben Monaco. “When she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, I was afraid that was the end of our journey together. Dr. Julie, however, wasn’t going to let that happen. Not only did Venya beat this aggressive cancer but she’s thriving! She truly enjoys every moment: running in the backyard, chasing lizards on the trails and snuggling up with mom and dad at home. I’m so thankful to Dr. Julie, everyone at the Veterinary Cancer Group and FidoCure for giving me so many extra years with her.”
Despite battling three different types of cancer, Venya continues to live a happy, active life. “I have been honored to be part of Venya’s story,” added Dr. Bulman-Fleming. “Venya has defied all expectations and triumphed against daunting statistics. I love seeing her enjoy her life. Her strength and resilience are truly inspiring.”
Christina Lopes, co-founder and CEO of FidoCure, also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with Thrive Pet Healthcare has been instrumental in expanding access to cutting-edge cancer care for dogs. With more and more veterinarians using the platform, we’ve seen 25 percent year-over-year growth from the Thrive network and we are honored to be working with them to push the boundaries of veterinary care forward. FidoCure has treated more than 5,000 dogs and with our patented novel approach, this cohort of Thrive cancer warriors will leave a lasting impact on human cancer care through our cutting-edge genomic sequencing. Alongside Thrive, we are leading the way together for AI-driven drug development in veterinary oncology and ultimately fight cancer on both sides of the leash.”
As Thrive Pet Healthcare and FidoCure commemorate this significant milestone, they eagerly anticipate further advancements in cancer care for pets and humans, driven by the stories of courageous dogs like Venya and the commitment of dedicated veterinary teams.