The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the health and well-being of dogs, has released its 1,000th scientific study published in Frontiers in Pain Research.1
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Stephanie Montgomery, DVM, PhD, CEO of CHF, said in an organizational statement:2 “The AKC Canine Health Foundation has left an indelible mark on the health and well-being of dogs around the world. Reaching this monumental milestone of 1,000th publication illustrates the valuable knowledge gained from our studies, which will continue to benefit to dogs for generations to come.”
The 1000th The study analyzes objective differences in pain sensitivity between certain dog breeds, challenging the commonly held belief regarding breed-specific pain sensitivity.2 This research could ultimately help improve the treatment of canine pain.
“Through its funding initiatives, the CHF has encouraged ‘outside the box’ thinking that has enabled this work to be carried out, opening a avenue of research that has the potential to impact our understanding of pain and the practice of pain. veterinary medicine,” said the study director. researcher, Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, board-certified veterinary behaviorist at North Carolina State University.2
Co-author Duncan Lascelles, BVSc, PhD, board-certified veterinarian, shared:2 “Our work has revealed some of the beliefs held by veterinarians and non-veterinarians regarding pain sensitivity in different dog breeds. Support from the CHF has allowed us to begin to understand the biological and behavioral bases of these beliefs and, importantly , whether different breeds actually differ in pain sensitivity.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to engage in new research that will improve the lives of dogs, as well as those who love them. My doctoral and postdoctoral studies would not be possible without the generous funding from CHF,” added lead researcher Rachel. Caddiell, PhD, MS, postdoctoral researcher specializing in animal welfare and behavior.2
Currently, CHF has an ongoing portfolio of 158 active research studies in canine health, and during the latter half of 2023, it will research and review additional proposals regarding aging canine medicine and infectious diseases.2 All projects are evaluated based on their scientific merit and the possibility of accelerating canine health by a panel of experts to be eligible for funding.
The references
- Caddiell RM, Cunningham RM, White PA, Lascelles BDX, Gruen ME. Pain sensitivity differs between dog breeds, but not in the way veterinarians think. Resolution of frontal pain. 2023;4. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2023.1165340
- The AKC Canine Health Foundation celebrates its 1,000th scientific publication. Press release. AKC Canine Health Foundation. July 20, 2023. Accessed July 24, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/akc-canine-health-foundation-celebrates-1-000th-scientific-publication-301879762.html