Advancing the Health of All Species
The Department of Comparative Medicine at Stanford University consists of Academic Programs (teaching & research) and the Veterinary Service Center (VSC), which provides Laboratory Animal Care. The laboratory animal care program at Stanford University is accredited by the Association for Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC).
Comparative medicine is a branch of experimental medicine which includes the study of:
- naturally occurring and experimental animal models of human disease;
- the etiopathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of infectious and noninfectious diseases of laboratory animals;
- the normal biology of laboratory animals; and
- other research applications of animals and related biotechnology.
Our mission is:
- To advance the health of all species;
- To make significant contributions to our knowledge of vertebrate biology and pathobiology through independent and multidisciplinary research; and
- To foster a collegial, synergistic environment for its faculty.
The Department of Comparative Medicine contributes to the University’s mission by:
- using its diverse veterinary expertise to provide excellent quality humane care for laboratory animals;
- promoting animal welfare and improving the quality and integrity of animal-based research; and
- sharing its comparative biology and veterinary expertise through teaching and consultations with faculty, students and staff.
