CHF Recognized as a Distinguished Research Partner by University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) has been honored as a Distinguished Research Partner by the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Points of Pride Research Day. This annual event celebrates the CVM’s research program, honors faculty, fellows, students, and research partners who contribute to the advancement of biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine.

Since 1995, CHF has awarded just over $3.4 million in research grants to the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. This represents 45 funded grants for researchers at the university. Most recently, Dr. Grace Elizabeth Pluhar was awarded funding to develop a therapeutic brain tumor vaccine. Also this year, Dr. Jaime Modiano and colleagues from other institutions received over $1 million to develop markers to diagnose and guide cancer treatment based on newly discovered heritable and acquired genetic mutations.

“It is with great pleasure that the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine recognizes the research support generously provided by the AKC Canine Health Foundation with its annual Distinguished Research Partner Award,” said Dr. Srirama Rao, PhD, Associate Dean for Research at the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine.  “The sustained research funding received from CHF has been instrumental in the seminal discoveries made by our faculty. We have every reason to believe that these discoveries will potentially lead to preventing, treating and/or curing canine disease and will advance the College’s One Health initiative of ‘One Medicine One Science.’”

Points of Pride Research day includes a poster competition, seminars and award presentations. Dr. Shila Nordone, CHF’s Chief Scientific Officer, who accepts the award on behalf of CHF said, “Given the current constraints of research funding in the new economy, CHF realizes that partnerships across all aspects of animal health and veterinary medicine are no longer merely helpful, but are now critical for progress. We are very proud to be recognized as a partner in this collective effort by UMN and look forward to our continuing our ongoing collaboration to prevent, treat and cure canine disease.”