The new 3 Tesla MRI and linear accelerator are the same types of machines used at human cancer centres. The linear accelerator uses radiation to treat detected tumours, and is accurate to within less than a millimeter. Mayer said that level of precision means the radiation treatment can avoid organs, lessening the impact on animal patients. “Animals are also very good models for human cancer, and so what we learn about animals as we treat them or offer clinical trials, we can apply to benefit people as well,” Mayer said. The MRI has been operational for the past few weeks, while the linear accelerator is expected to be running before the end of October.