AKC Canine Health Foundation announced the semifinalists for the inaugural Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award, a program that includes $75,000 in potential research funding and a $10,000 cash prize for the winner.

The award is intended to highlight significant research advances that improve the lives of dogs and to accelerate promising work that could lead to new diagnostics, treatments, and preventive strategies. This funding directly impacts advancements in veterinary care by supporting clinical trials and translational studies targeting major canine diseases, the foundation said.

Semifinalists span academic institutions and a research organization in the U.S. and the U.K., reflecting a range of projects in veterinary science. Organizations like the AKC Canine Health Foundation rely on such funding to drive innovations addressing common health issues affecting dogs today, including cancer, obesity, and orthopedic disorders such as osteoarthritis.

Semifinalists named by the foundation include Dr. Jody Gookin of NC State University; Dr. Stacey Sullivan of Auburn University; Dr. Santiago Peralta and Dr. William Katt of Cornell University; Dr. Timothy Fan of the University of Illinois; Dr. Chand Khanna, Dr. Jacob Cawley and Dr. Samuel Stewart of Ethos Discovery; Dr. Cynthia Otto of the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Lisa Freeman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University; and Dr. Eleanor Raffan of Cambridge University.

Dr. Stephanie Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer of the AKC Canine Health Foundation, said, “The inaugural semifinalists for the Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award embody the passion and perseverance that move canine health forward for the dogs who mean so much to us.” These researchers contribute greatly to the field, as they tackle pressing health issues that currently affect many dogs.

The foundation, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of all dogs through research and discovery, positioned the award as both recognition and incentive. Organizers framed the prize package to support work that could translate into new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches that pet owners are eager for.

Pet owners can play a vital role in supporting canine health research by donating to or fundraising for organizations that fund veterinary studies or by enrolling their dogs in clinical trials, furthering the efforts to enhance veterinary care.

The list of institutions represented among semifinalists ranges from major U.S. veterinary schools to a U.K. research university and a private research organization. Investigators come from NC State University, Auburn University, Cornell University, the University of Illinois, Ethos Discovery, the University of Pennsylvania, the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, and Cambridge University.

The announcement and the roster of semifinalists were distributed publicly by the foundation; details on selection criteria and the next stages of the competition were described in the foundation’s release distributed on PR Newswire.

As semifinalists, the named researchers join a shortlist that will be evaluated further before a winner is selected and awarded the cash prize and potential research funding. The foundation said the award celebrates work that offers measurable benefits to dogs and their owners and aims to catalyze additional investment in veterinary research.

Dr. Montgomery added earlier about the foundation’s work: “At the AKC Canine Health Foundation, I have the opportunity to see the extraordinary progress being made in canine health research every day.” This progress is crucial, as it paves the way for new diagnostics and therapy options that could lead to healthier, happier dogs.

The foundation’s semifinalist announcement is part of broader efforts to spotlight translational and clinical research in veterinary medicine. By concentrating funding and recognition, the award intends to accelerate projects that could change care standards or introduce new tools for veterinarians and pet owners.

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