The AKC Canine Health Foundation Celebrates its 26th Anniversary with Over $535,000 in New Canine Health Grants Awarded
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sharon M. Albright, DVM, CCRT
Manager of Communications & Veterinary Outreach
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Phone: 919-334-4019
E-mail: sharon.albright@akcchf.org
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
RALEIGH, NC (February 22, 2021) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs and their owners, celebrates its 26th anniversary with more than $535,000 in new canine health research grants awarded this year.
CHF was founded by the American Kennel Club as an independent, 501c3 non-profit organization in February 1995 to focus on health research benefitting dogs. Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $59 million in more than 1,040 research and educational grants and canine health projects to prevent, treat and cure canine disease. CHF also uses a One Health approach in its funding, supporting research that improves the health of dogs while simultaneously advancing research for human medicine.
Four newly awarded oncology grants support exploration of how canine cancers such as lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, melanoma, and mammary gland tumors evade the immune system and chemotherapy drugs. One grant (02879) represents CHF’s first time funding a study using the powerful gene editing tool CRISPR. A fifth oncology grant provides funding for a clinical trial of combination chemotherapy for mast cell tumors, a common malignant skin tumor in dogs. Canine oncology research normally occupies about one-quarter of CHF’s research portfolio at any given time and remains a top priority for researchers, dog owners, and veterinary professionals. Learn more at akcchf.org/caninecancer.
Additional grants awarded in early 2021 are ‘Acorn grants’ for gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and hormonal disease. Acorn grants provide funding for smaller projects and pilot studies which are important to demonstrate feasibility and produce preliminary data that guides additional study and future investments.
“The AKC Canine Health Foundation maintains a rigorous scientific review process before, during, and after grants are awarded,” states CHF Executive Director, Calvin Carpenter, DVM, MBA, DACLAM. “This ensures that we invest in quality research with the most potential to advance the health of dogs. The grants already awarded in 2021 continue that excellence, providing knowledge that can help all dogs live longer, healthier lives.”
In 2021, CHF has once again achieved Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating and maintained a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency. These ratings and the newly awarded grants demonstrate CHF’s commitment to quality research and improving canine health. Learn more about CHF’s research portfolio at akcchf.org/research.
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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 $59 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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