Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award recognizes a single breakthrough that most powerfully advanced canine health this year and offers the winning team eligibility for up to $75,000 in research support plus a $10,000 cash award, the foundation said. Recent advancements in canine health research beyond this year’s finalists include new diagnostic and preventive tools that enable earlier detection and treatment of certain canine diseases.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of dogs through research and discovery, announced the finalists and will present the award at its Canines & Cocktails gala on Dec. 11 in Orlando, Florida. Pet owners can stay informed about such advancements by consulting the AKC Canine Health Foundation’s publications, which include news updates and summaries of recent studies.

The three finalists are Dr. Cynthia Otto of the University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Lisa Freeman of Tufts University; and Dr. Eleanor Raffan of Cambridge University. Each was named by the foundation as a lead contributor to work judged to have advanced canine health in a significant way. Often, the most commonly researched health issues in dogs include dental disease, ear infections, and osteoarthritis, amongst others.

“These three finalists reflect the highest caliber of canine health research, reaffirming why CHF remains so deeply committed to its mission,” said Dr. Stephanie Montgomery, Chief Executive Officer of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

The foundation framed the Canine Health Discovery Award as a celebration of a single breakthrough and an investment vehicle for teams poised to translate research into tangible benefits for dogs. The award pairs recognition with funding designed to accelerate follow-on studies or the clinical application of findings.

The finalists and the award details appear on the University of Guelph Research Alerts page and in materials distributed by the foundation; the AKC Canine Health Foundation also offers broader information about its programs and funding priorities on its organizational pages. Recent advancements in canine health research beyond this year’s finalists include new diagnostic and preventive tools that enable earlier detection and treatment of certain canine diseases.

The foundation’s announcement set a timeline for the prize: finalists were disclosed on Dec. 3, 2025, and the Canines & Cocktails gala, where the winner will be revealed, is scheduled for Dec. 11. The foundation said the award’s combination of visibility and financial support is intended to accelerate research that directly improves canine health outcomes.

Organizers described the award as both an honor and a funding opportunity intended to scale successful findings into further study or clinical practice. The blend of a cash prize and potential research support aims to give the winning team immediate resources and a path to further work.

The foundation will name the winner at the gala on Dec. 11 in Orlando, Florida, concluding this first year of the Canine Health Discovery of the Year Award.

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