AKC Canine Health Foundation Celebrates 20 Years of Canine Health Milestones at Canines & Cocktails Event

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) , a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing diseases in all dogs will celebrate 20 years of canine health research milestones at the 5^th annual Canines & Cocktails event on Thursday, December 10 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida.

“The AKC Canine Health Foundation is proud to highlight two decades of innovative research funding, providing dog owners with education and information on canine health,” said Susan Lilly, chief executive officer of CHF. “This event is an opportunity to celebrate the many diverse and successful areas where our donors and investigators have impacted the lives of dogs and their people. Without the support of those who recognize the importance of what we do, these efforts could not continue.”

As part of the evening’s festivities, The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. will receive the 2015 President’s Award recognizing the club’s exceptional contributions for advancing canine health. Since 1997, the Club has contributed over $331,000 to support canine health research.

According to Dr. Diane Brown, CHF chief scientific officer, “The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. truly exemplifies the spirit of giving for the benefit of canine health. Their generosity and dedicated efforts to advance quality health research in partnership with CHF is making a difference for the world’s beloved Labrador Retrievers and all dogs.” 

CHF will also recognize the 2015 Distinguished Research Partners for their ongoing commitment to funding canine health research. Together, the 2015 Distinguished Research Partners have donated nearly one million dollars to benefit not only their breed, but the health of all dogs. They include:

• American German Shepherd Dog Charitable Foundation
• Dalmatian Club of America Foundation
• Flat-Coated Retriever Foundation
• Rottweiler Health Foundation

Designed as a festive event to bring together individuals and professionals who love dogs and are passionate about canine health, Canines & Cocktails will feature heavy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, live music and dancing by The Atlantic City Boys & Paul Vesco Orchestra, strolling magician Wayne Anderson, door prizes and a raffle in addition to the award celebrations.

There will also be an auction for a one-of-a-kind, handmade AKC Canine Health Foundation 20th Anniversary Multi-Breed Quilt donated by the Sussex Spaniel Club of America. The dog patterns were done by Linda Hibbert of Silver Linings Originals and the piece was constructed and quilted by Rosemary Cushman.

Canines & Cocktails takes place two days before the internationally renowned AKC/Eukanuba National Championship dog show. The event is sponsored by The Canine Chronicle and chairpersons are Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale.

Tickets for Canines & Cocktails are still available for $75 per person and can be purchased online.

Raffle and Door prizes include:

• Handmade 14K gold heart pendant with ¾ carat diamonds with black paws (one of a kind piece, numbered and signed by artist Omar Pitaluga) ~ donated by Originals by Omar

• Custom 14” x 16” original portrait of your canine companion. Done in choice of gouache (opaque watercolor) or pencil ~ donated by artist Heidi B. Martin

• Complimentary two night hotel stay at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, FL ~ donated by the Rosen Centre Hotel

• 12 months of free advertising for 2016 – full color 2-page spread in the online publication of The Dog Show Journal ~ donated by The Dog Show Journal