Veterinarian Nick Jeffery, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at
Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, is studying two
potential treatments for dogs with spinal cord injuries. The findings
could help humans with similar injuries. Dr. Jeffery is looking at how
cells collected from nervous tissue affect spinal injury when injected
in the site and how spinal cord injuries respond to chondroitinase, an
enzyme that breaks down scar tissue. "I'm a believer in the idea that
veterinarians should be working in important areas of medical science
for the benefit of both pets and people," Dr. Jeffery said.