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 the public. Each publication becomes a stepping stone on a path to solving problems and meeting the unmet medical needs of dogs. In 2022, the akc Canine Health Foundation saw our funded research grow across program areas and especially in research addressing oncology, cardiology, 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 was showcased in such high impact scientific journals as the journal of veterinary internal medicine, journal of the American veterinary medical association, 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, opthamology, theriogenology, neuorogly, dermotology, genetics, cardiology, and epilepsy.
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 2022 to help dog owners and veterinary professionals better diagnose and treat their dogs, news about this work in Canine cancer, epilepsy, vector-borne disease, and more was disseminated to reach a wide public audience. Chf also held three live and/or pre-recorded webinars for the dog owner and veterinarian, covering cancer, pain sensitivity, and cognitive & emotional development. Foundation employees attended dog shows, events and educational conferences, in-person and virtually in 2022, 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.
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 2022 to advance training in Canine Health research at the university of Illinois, university of Pennsylvania, university of wisconsin-madison, and the university of California, davis. 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 2022, including at auburn university and the Ohio state university.