Canine Health Foundation, Inc.

Helping dogs live longer, healthier lives by preventing, treating and curing canine diseases like cancer, epilepsy and heart disease. Our work furthers human health research too.

How do you help people in my community?

We help dogs live longer, healthier lives and therefore we help the people who love dogs enjoy more time with their pets.

The clinical studies we fund help to find treatments for the diseases that affect dogs just like yours or your neighbor’s.  The genetic studies we fund help researchers understand diseases better and target new treatments also.  Genetic studies sometimes lead to the development of new tests.  Genetic tests can be used to decrease the disease in future generations of dogs, meaning healthier future pets for all of us.
 
Cancer is the number one disease killer of dogs.  Someone you know has probably lost their beloved dog to cancer.  We have provided over $6.5 million dollars specifically for canine cancer research.  This research is dedicated to better understanding the disease and finding treatments.

Canine health research also benefits human medicine.  Since dogs and humans share much of the same genetic makeup (and often the same physical environment) canine research is leading to advancements in human research as well.  Indeed, “man’s best friend” is truly becoming man’s best friend in the fight against genetic diseases.  An example is the ongoing research on Canine Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) which is comparable to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.)  CHF funded genetic research not only identified a genetic risk factor mutation for DM but also linked DM to ALS.

Why do you need my support?

CHF has grown significantly since our inception fifteen years ago.  In 1995, the Foundation sponsored one grant for approximately $75K.  Today, the Foundation awards an average of 45 grants per year and provides approximately $3 million annually in research funds.  Our goal is to grow even more so that we may serve all segments of the canine population. 

Gifts of any size make a difference in our ability to fund more research.  To make a greater impact on canine health, we need your support. 

There are many organizations helping dogs, however the Canine Health Foundation is unique because we are the largest non-profit organization funding exclusively canine health research.  By supporting the CHF, you are not only supporting canine research, you are also ensuring your support is funding the top veterinary research throughout the world.  Our grants review process is rigorous and stringent.  Applications are not only reviewed by our Grants Committee (made up of DVMs, MDs, PhDs and canine health activists) but also are subjected to reviews by experts in the application’s field of study.  We go to great lengths to guarantee that funded research is of the highest quality and thereby ensure that the results are significant and add to the body of research which will benefit canines and ultimately humans.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

The Canine Health Foundation has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management for five consecutive years. Charity Navigator is an independent accrediting agency responsible for guiding conscientious philanthropy. Only four percent of all charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least five consecutive 4-star evaluations.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Yes, volunteers are needed to make presentations and work at booths at dog-related community events and dog shows.