Celebrating the Breakthroughs Shaping the Future of Canine Health. Meet the 2025 Canine Health Discovery Award Finalists.

General Health & Wellness Research

The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) funds research into a wide range of canine health issues not covered by specific research areas, including obesity, dental disease, fitness, and more.

Why We Focus on General Health & Wellness

Advances in veterinary medicine allow dogs to live longer and healthier lives, but new health challenges continue to arise. Research in areas like obesity, dental disease, and fitness is essential to addressing these evolving concerns and maximizing the overall health and quality of life for all dogs.

Research Grants

2026 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $59,759.75
03424: Genetic Investigation of Acquired Urinary Incontinence in Dogs
Breed(s): Doberman Pinscher
Researcher(s): Lauren A Baker, DVM, PhD
2025 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $21,157.93
03417-A: Assessment of the impact of pre-treatment with anti-emetic therapy on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux in dogs undergoing anesthesia for orthopedic surgery as assessed by esophageal pH monitoring and gastric volume assessment
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Emily Wheeler, DVM
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2025 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $90,950.58
03391: Water-based cooling strategies for dogs experiencing exercise-induced hyperthermia
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD, DACVECC, DACVSMR
University of Zurich Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $127,440
03237: Impact of Perioperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis on the Intestinal Microbiome in Selected Surgical Procedures
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Mirja C Nolff, Dr. med. vet., DVM
Colorado State University Logo
2024 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $16,848
03265-A: Improving Safety by Utilizing a Hypotensive Prediction Index (HPI) Computer to Predict Hypotension in Dogs Undergoing General Anesthesia
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Hisashi Sakata, BVM and Pedro Boscan, DVM, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2023 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $19,994
03178-A: Effect of a Canine Systematic Exercise Program on the Dimensions of the Lumbar Paraspinal Musculature and Performance Assessment Scores in Healthy Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD
Cornell University Logo
2023 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $113,914
03172: Identification of Genetic Risk Factors for Gingival Enlargement in Boxers
Breed(s): Boxer
Researcher(s): Jacquelyn M Evans, PhD and Santiago Peralta, DVM
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2023 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $19,997
03179-A: Optimal Distance for Canine Sprint Testing
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia M. Otto, DVM, PhD and Clara Wilson, PhD
North Carolina State University Logo
2023 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $109,129
03114: Pain Catastrophizing: A Clinically-relevant Phenomenon in Dogs?
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Margaret Elizabeth Gruen, DVM, PhD and Duncan X Lascelles, PhD
Washington State University Logo
2023 Closed Grant
General Health & Wellness $11,081
03180-A: Agility Dog Activity Load Measurement Using a Web-based Application and Handler-provided Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Debra Sellon, DVM, PhD
Cornell University Logo
2022 Closed Grant
General Health & Wellness $177,256
03069: Optimizing GBLUP and Machine Learning Genomic Breeding Values for Health and Performance Traits in Working Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Heather Huson, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Logo
2022 Closed Grant
General Health & Wellness $14,663
03077-A: Cooling Strategies During Exertional Hyperthermia
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Cynthia Otto, DVM, PhD
Cornell University Logo
2020 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $86,532
02809: Microbial and Cytokine Signatures of Periodontitis in Dogs
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Santiago Peralta, DVM
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Logo
2020 Closed Grant
General Health & Wellness $10,796
02847-A: Assessment of Field Wipe-Down Procedure for Removal of Aerosolized Contaminants on Dogs
Breed(s): Labrador Retriever
Researcher(s): Erin B. Perry, PhD
Ohio State University Logo
2020 Active Grant
General Health & Wellness $113,129
02723: Scientific and Clinical Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Obese Dogs: SLIM Study
Breed(s): All Dogs
Researcher(s): Jenessa Winston, DVM, PhD

Join Us in Advancing
Canine Health

With more than $5.4 million invested in general health and wellness research, your support helps CHF address a wide range of health issues, ensuring a healthier, longer life for all dogs.