AKC Canine Health Foundation Recognizes 2019 Leaders in Canine Health
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharon M. Albright, DVM CCRT
Manager of Communications and Veterinary Outreach
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Phone: 919-334-4019
E-mail: sharon.albright@akcchf.org
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
RALEIGH, NC (December 20, 2019) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) announces their 2019 award recipients, recognizing leaders in canine health.
- Elanco Animal Health receives the 2019 AKC Canine Health Foundation President’s Award. This award is given annually to a person or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to advancing canine health.
- The 2019 AKC Canine Health Foundation Distinguished Research Partners are the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, Berner Lovers, and the American Bullmastiff Association. Each year this award is given to clubs or organizations for their ongoing and outstanding commitment to support canine health research.
Recipient of the 2019 President’s Award, Elanco Animal Health has generously supported CHF research and programs on numerous canine health topics including dermatology and allergic disease, immunology and infectious disease, oncology, and tick-borne diseases. They were also a session sponsor of the 2019 AKC Canine Health Foundation National Parent Club Canine Health Conference.
“The AKC Canine Health Foundation is grateful for the partnership and support of Elanco Animal Health,” states CHF Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Diane Brown. “Their dedication to canine health research is crucial to the success of our shared mission to improve the health of all dogs.”
“Elanco is committed to the human animal bond and recognizes that more preventative and therapeutic treatments are needed to improve the quality and longevity of life for dogs,” states Dr. Kristin Bloink, Vice President of Global Research and External Innovation for Elanco, and AKC Canine Health Foundation Board member. “We are pleased to work with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, which has a tremendous track record of attracting and supporting high quality, useful science from the leading and emerging innovative researchers.”
2019 Distinguished Research Partner, the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America (BMDCA) was formed in 1968 to preserve and protect the Bernese Mountain Dog breed. Since 1998, the BMDCA has supported health research to benefit Bernese Mountain Dogs and all dogs in areas such as gastrointestinal health, oncology, and more.
Berner Lovers is a 2019 Distinguished Research Partner whose investment in canine oncology research helps advance our understanding of cancer in dogs while also exploring new targets for its diagnosis and treatment. They have been supporting CHF-funded canine health research since 2005.
And, 2019 Distinguished Research Partner, the American Bullmastiff Association, has supported canine health research through CHF since 1998 dedicated to program areas that include gastrointestinal health, oncology, and breed-specific cardiology research with investigation into sub-valvular aortic stenosis.
“The Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America, Berner Lovers, and the American Bullmastiff Association are vital partners in our efforts to prevent, treat and cure canine diseases,” states CHF Director of Programs & Operations, Andrea Fiumefreddo. “We value the support of the organizations, their boards and their members as we look forward to continued collaboration to benefit the health of dogs.”
The President’s Award and Distinguished Research Partner Awards were presented at CHF’s annual Canines & Cocktails gala on December 12, 2019. The event is held each year in association with the AKC National Championship in Orlando, FL and brings together people passionate about dogs to celebrate annual achievements in canine health research. Learn more about these and previous award recipients at www.akcchf.org/about-us/awards-and-scholarships/.
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About CHF
Since 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation has leveraged the power of science to address the health needs of all dogs. With more than $52 million in funding to date, the Foundation provides grants for the highest quality canine health research and shares information on the discoveries that help prevent, treat and cure canine diseases. The Foundation meets and exceeds industry standards for fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by their highest four-star Charity Navigator rating and GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. Learn more at www.akcchf.org.
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