Dennis Sprung, President and CEO of the AKC accepted the award on the first evening of the 2005 National Parent Club Canine Health Conference in St. Louis, sponsored jointly by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and the American Kennel Club.
CHF President Wayne Ferguson noted, “The AKC launched the Foundation in 1995 with a $1.6 million donation.” He continued, “The 2004-2005 Endowment Challenge proves the AKC wishes to continue this robust alliance. When we raise the remaining $25,000 toward the challenge, our endowment will have increased $1.5 million in funds that will support the Foundation in perpetuity – giving us the underpinning we need to direct more of what we raise to canine health research.”