We probably do a little bit better than we would be doing without them. Spinelli entered the field of laboratory animal medicine after an unfulfilling career in private practice. I liked animals and I wanted to be an equine practitioner and was for four years. I felt I couldn't do as much for animals as I wanted and was frustrated by seeing a lot of abuse of animals by pet owners. I was very discouraged by how people took care of pets.
Lab animals get better care than that given by the average pet owner.
Another motivation for Spinelli to become involved in laboratory animal medicine was born out of his personal life. I had a profoundly disabled son. When I became aware of laboratory animal medicine I realized there was something I could do. Still, Spinelli never allows the medical goals of animal research to eclipse the health of the animals in his care. If you're going to have a pet, quality veterinary care is a necessary aspect, same with laboratory animals.