AKC Canine Health Foundation awards funding for 2 residency programs

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The AKC Canine Health Foundation, in collaboration with the American Kennel Club (AKC) have named Colorado State University in Fort Collins and University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet) in Philadelphia as the inaugural winners of the AKC/AKC CHF Canine Sports medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program Awards. The winning schools both will receive $100,000 annually to support a 3-year residency program.¹

The program launched in February 2024 to increase the number of specialists trained to meet the needs of athletic and working dogs as well as dogs needing rehabilitation, according to a news release.¹ To be selected, approved sports medicine and rehabilitation programs were required to submit proposals that were then reviewed by a panel made up of CHF leadership and subject matter experts.

The winning programs are¹:

• Colorado State University’s Small Animal Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility Service: The service offers students a varied caseload, strong mentors, and excellent resource. The clinicians within the program also are consistently publishing research results in peer-reviewed journals to help advance the science of canine rehabilitation medicine.
• Penn Vet's Canine Sports and Performance Medicine Service: This program offers veterinary students the opportunity to work in a research-intensive environment that provides them multiple opportunities, for residents, to perform clinical duties and contribute evidence-based medical recommendations for canine athletes.

"We are thrilled to support 2 top-tier programs dedicated to training the next generation of specialists in canine sports medicine and rehabilitation," Stephanie Montgomery, DVM, PhD, DACVP, CHF chief executive officer of the foundation, said in the release.¹ "These programs provide residents with the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, contribute to groundbreaking research, and utilize state-of-the-art facilities.

The AKC/AKC CHF Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program Awards received recent support from the Golden Retriever Foundation (GRF) to help the program provide funds to 2 residency programs this year, and plan to continue growing the recognition program.¹ "As golden retrievers participate in so many activities, the opportunity to sponsor the AKC/AKC CHF Sports Medicine Residency was met with whole-hearted support by the Golden Retriever Foundation," Chris Miele, GRF president, said in the release.¹ "We have made our donation and 3-year commitment from the Rachel Page Elliott Educational Fund, which was created precisely for these opportunities. We feel that with the tremendous rise in interest and participation in performance events, our support will benefit Golden Retrievers and all dogs."

Anyone interested in participating in one of these residency programs can apply though the Veterinary Internship and Residency Matching Program in Spring 2025. Residency training begins in July 2025.

Reference

First American Kennel Club/AKC Canine Health Foundation Canine Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency Program Recipients Announced. News release. AKC Canine Health Foundation. July 23, 2024. Accessed August 12, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-american-kennel-clubakc-canine-health-foundation-canine-sports-medicine--rehabilitation-residency-program-recipients-announced-302204041.html