AKC Canine Health Foundation Announces 2021 Small Animal Theriogenology Residency Recipients

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 (June 15, 2021) – The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the health of all dogs, announces two new theriogenology residencies awarded in 2021.

CHF has partnered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Theriogenology Foundation (TF) to increase the number of veterinary practitioners trained in reproductive medicine (known as theriogenology) and clinical genetics. Since 2016, the AKC/AKCCHF/TF Small Animal Theriogenology Residency Program has provided funding to train specialists at eight different US veterinary colleges. This year, new residencies have been awarded to the following veterinary professionals:

• Anum Ahmed, DVM (CHF Grant 02845-E)
  Residency Coordinator: Audrey A. Kelleman, DVM, DACT
  University of Florida
  Dr. Ahmed received her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Central Florida. She completed her veterinary degree at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and a small animal rotating internship through BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Tampa, FL. After residency she hopes to work with breeders to manage genetic disease in dogs, promote proper handling and management of frozen semen, and apply the knowledge gained from domestic dog breeding research towards conservation of canine species in the wild.

• Nicole Sugai, DVM (CHF Grant 02846-E)
  Residency Coordinator: Julie T. Cecere, DVM, MS, DACT
  Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine
  Dr. Sugai received her bachelor’s degree in biology and evolutionary anthropology at the University of Michigan. She completed her veterinary degree, with honors, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. After two years in general practice, Dr. Sugai is pursuing advanced education in reproductive medicine. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit for Standard Poodles and enjoys working with her local and national AKC clubs and showing her Poodles in the conformation ring.

“CHF and it’s donors are proud of the continued success of this program,” says J. Charles Garvin, MD, FACS, Chairman of CHF’s Board of Directors. “These trained specialists are critical to support the reproductive health of current and future generations of dogs and to help owners and other veterinary professionals appropriately manage the genetic underpinnings of canine disease.”

Funding for the AKC/AKCCHF/TF Small Animal Theriogenology Residency Program has been extended through 2023. Learn more about the program and its participants at www.akcchf.org/therio.

# # #

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 $62 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.