AI company receives $20,000 grant

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The CATalyst Council, an organization that promotes the lifelong health and welfare of companion cats, announced that it has provided a grant to Sylvester.AI, a pet wellness and animal health digital platform. The $20,000 grant will help Sylvester.AI continue its work on its Ai technology, specifically designed to enhance detecting chronic pain in feline patients.

"With this generous grant from the CATalyst Council, Sylvester.ai will continue to push the boundaries of pet health technology," said Susan Groeneveld, CEO at Sylvester.ai, in an organizational release.¹ "Our AI model has already shown remarkable accuracy in detecting acute pain in cats, and this funding will enable us to further refine and expand our capabilities to better understand chronic pain, ultimately improving the lives of countless feline companions.

The CATalyst council was established in 2008 and provides support to programs and initiatives that are prioritizing the wellbeing of companion animals.1 The group works with shelters, veterinary professionals, adoption organizations, and industry stakeholders to help provide feline patients the attention and care that they need throughout their entire lives. For Sylvester.ai, it works improve pet health assessment and strengthen the bond for cats and their owners, resonating with the mission of the CATalyst council.

"We are thrilled to support Sylvester.ai in their mission to advance feline health detection technology," said Anne Ward, DVM, CATalyst Council vice president.¹ "Their innovative approach aligns perfectly with our goal of ensuring that every companion cat receives the care and attention they need to thrive. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of cats and their caregivers.”

According to the release, through the grant, Sylvester.AI will continue its ongoing research and development efforts to better enhance its already existing AI model to detect chronic pain in feline patients.¹ Through its algorithms, the company is striving to provide pet owners and veterinary professionals a tool for early detection as well as personalized care.

“We are working now with cat populations that have confirmed chronic pain conditions in at home settings and the CATalyst grant has helped propel this vital work forward to benefit all cats in the future,” said Frances Valentine, PhD, lead behaviorist at Sylvester.ai added.¹

Reference

1. CATalyst Council Awards $20,000 Grant to Sylvester.ai to Advance Feline Chronic Pain Detection Technology. News release. CATalyst Council. October 31, 2024. November 1, 2024.