A 3-year-old golden retriever named Matilda might hold clues to fighting cancer.

Matilda, who lives in Pullman with her veterinarian owners, is one of 3,000 golden retrievers enrolled in a nationwide study that assesses risk factors for various types of cancer.

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is being conducted by the Morris Animal Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Denver, Colo.

“The study is unique and groundbreaking, and as owners we want to defer (our animals) from dying, so I wanted to contribute in any way that I could,” said Michael Court, who owns and cares for Matilda with his wife, Gretchen Kaufman.

The Morris Animal Foundation states that more than 70 million dogs live in the U.S., and half of them older than 10 years old will die of cancer. Additionally, the foundation states that cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs older than 2.

“The foundation wants to know everything,” said Raelynn Farnsworth, the veterinarian who will examine Matilda at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. “For example, if there was a mass on a dog, half the biopsy would go to the foundation so they have record of the dog’s clinical findings at all times.”

Farnsworth is one of three volunteers who will perform annual exams on volunteered dogs in the region, collecting samples of blood, urine, hair and nail clippings. Researchers at the Morris Animal Foundation will then analyze and store that data.

“The tests are not invasive and consist of hair and nail trimmings, DNA samples, blood and stool samples, as well as a routine checkup,” said Farnsworth, who works with WSU veterinarians Rob Dyke and Cariann Turbeville.

Lifetime Study researchers will also examine a number of diseases that occur in dogs and humans alike, including arthritis, obesity, lymphoma and osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

“When we got Matilda we had a resource to use, so I enrolled her in the program,” Court said, explaining that his first golden retriever, Bear, died of osteosarcoma several years ago.

In addition to the doctors’ examinations, Court and Kaufman complete an annual questionnaire about Matilda’s behaviors and environment, including what she eats, how much she sleeps and more.

“The benefit for the veterinary community is good, and it is really neat to be involved in furthering groundbreaking research,” Farnsworth said.

More information about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, as well as a volunteer dog enrollment form, can be found on the Morris Animal Foundation’s website, caninelifetimehealth.org.