LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - 2 Million Dogs and local dog lovers came together Thursday to talk about the links between human and animal cancers.
The national non-profit organization is working to educate animal lovers about early warning signs. Cofounder Luke Robinson says dogs can get the same type of cancers as people.
He started the organization after going on a 2,000 mile walk across the U.S. to honor his dog who died from the disease.
"I want to walk from town to town and educate people that not only do dogs get cancer, but that it's the same type of cancer that people get," says Robinson.
The group funds cancer research that benefits both pets and people. Robinson's stop in Little Rock is part of a 24-city tour across the country.
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2 Million Dogs, the largest pet and people cancer community in the world, was established to support comparative oncology and educate the public about common links between cancer in humans and companion animals. 2 Million Dogs mobilizes support and raises funds for translational cancer studies that benefit both pets and people.
The organization was born in June 2010 when Luke Robinson concluded a 2000-mile walk with his dogs Murphy and Hudson to honor the loss of his dog Malcolm to cancer. They walked from town to town, sharing Malcolm's story and educating people about cancer in dogs, and a nationwide grassroots movement emerged. Believing that if two dogs could walk 2000 miles, he could inspire two million to walk two miles.
Today, 2 Million Dogs includes annual events such as the nationwide Puppy Up! walks in which dogs and their human parents walk in their communities nationwide to raise awareness and funds for comparative oncology and to educate pet parents about the early warning signs of canine cancer. For more information please see <http://www.2milliondogs.org/>.