Program areas at AKCCHF
Biomedical research is measured by the contribution of a given project or group of like projects to the greater understanding of the disease(s) under study. One tangible measurement of this contribution is through peer-reviewed publication of results from akc Canine Health foundation-funded research. Such publications are accessible to all researchers in the field and often the public. Each publication becomes a stepping stone on a path to solving problems and meeting the unmet Health and medical needs of dogs. In 2023, the akc Canine Health Foundation saw the breadth of funded research expand across program areas and especially in research addressing cancer, dermatology & allergic diseases, and immunology & infectious disease in dogs. Many studies address Canine Health through comparative oncology methods, genetics-based research, new technologies, and through a one Health lens. Publications resulting from chf-funded research were showcased in such high impact scientific journals as the journal of veterinary internal medicine, journal of the American veterinary medical association, frontiers in veterinary science and plos one. These peer-reviewed journals and others that chf-funded researchers published in this year have a broad reach to the public, veterinarians and scientists, and enhance understanding on the state of any given disease condition. Publication topics included Canine cancer, theriogenology, immunology & infectious diseases, genetics, cardiology, and behavior.
As part of its mission, the akc Canine Health Foundation (chf) aims to educate all dog owners and communicate research discoveries that help prevent, treat, and cure Canine diseases. In addition to the new research grants funded in 2023 to help dog owners and veterinary professionals better diagnose and treat their dogs, news about this work in Canine cancer, breed-specific pain sensitivity, one Health, and more was disseminated to reach a wide public audience. Chf also held a live webinar for the dog owner on liver disease. Foundation employees attended dog shows, events, and educational conferences, in-person and virtually in 2023, to promote and increase awareness of 1) the Foundation and our mission and 2) the wealth of information and resources the Foundation has made available to the public. Additionally, the Foundation held the biennial akc Canine Health Foundation national parent Club Canine Health Foundation conference in august 2023 in st. louis, mo.
The akc Canine Health Foundation endeavors to provide funding to invest in and educate the next generation of researchers for Canine Health. One way we achieve this is through the akc Canine Health Foundation clinician scientist fellowship program. Four such fellowships were awarded in 2023 to advance training in Canine Health research at the university of Illinois, Michigan state university, the Ohio state university, and north carolina state university. Also, the akc/akc Canine Health foundation/theriogenology Foundation residency training program continues support for two clinical residents training in theriogenology (reproductive medicine and surgery) at us schools of veterinary medicine in 2023, including at virginia-maryland college of veterinary medicine and Louisiana state university.