The Legacy of June Guido
June Guido is a member of the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s Heritage Society. Her love for dogs started during college when she worked as an apprentice obedience instructor. She is an experienced obedience competitor and instructor and also breeds and shows Bouviers des Flandres under the G&W Acres kennel name. As a founding member of the Bouvier Health Foundation, June advocates for canine health research knowing it will benefit not just dogs, but humans as well.
Q: How did you first learn about the AKC Canine Health Foundation?
A: As an ambassador for Nestle Purina, I learned about the partnership they have with the AKC Canine Health Foundation. The Foundation’s impact on canine health was evident throughout the educational materials provided by Purina.
Q: Why is canine health research important to you?
A: I’m amazed at the progress we have made in both our understanding of canine health and the quality of the questions we now seek to answer. Since the completion of the canine genome, we appreciate the genetic similarities between dogs and humans. What we learn about canine diseases such as epilepsy, diabetes, and degenerative myelopathy can have a real impact on how we diagnose and treat similar diseases in humans.
Q: What type of planned gift have you provided to the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) and how was the process of setting up that gift?
A: I have included CHF in my will. The process was very simple and handled by my lawyer as I was setting up my trust.
Q: Why did you choose the AKC Canine Health Foundation as a beneficiary of your trust?
A: The people I have met, the relationships I have shared, and the opportunities to learn and share knowledge about dogs has enriched my life. The dog world has opened up so many doors during my lifetime. A planned gift to the AKC Canine Health Foundation feels like a purpose, a way of returning the favor.
Q: What do you tell others considering a planned gift to the AKC Canine Health Foundation?
A: I talk about the AKC Canine Health Foundation to every one of my obedience classes. We all want our dogs to live as long as possible, and research funded by CHF is important to achieve that. It is frustrating that canine health research progresses slowly. It can be hard to see the results. But my gift through the Heritage Society will be even more valuable in the future. It may help answer canine health questions that we have not even asked yet!
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
