As part of its goal to improve the health and longevity of our canine companions, the Canadian Kennel Club Foundation announced in November 2014 that the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, was to receive a Foundation grant for lymphoma research.
 
Lymphoma treatment is costly and a heartache for dog owners and there are many different possible approaches to treatment so it’s important to determine as soon as possible whether the selected approach is working so that alternate treatments can be considered. The research project helps to identify effectiveness of the treatment method.
 
The objective of the research project was to profile the expression of miRNA in the plasma of healthy control dogs, and compare it to dogs with B cell and T cell lymphoma, and dogs with B cell lymphoma undergoing treatment.
 
The study initially examined 277 miRNAs previously shown to exist in various canine tissues, which were then reduced to 45 miRNAs. One miRNA showed significantly increased expression at Week 3 of chemotherapy in patients that did not respond to CHOP therapy when compared to patients in remission and relapse.
 
This study highlights miRNAs that, with further validation, could be used as minimally invasive biomarkers with diagnostic and predictive value in canine lymphoma patients. It could be a step towards a degree of personalized patient medicine in veterinary cancer patients. The researchers of the project have filed a provisional patent on some of the work to protect further development.
 
To find out how you can support the CKCF’s goals with a donation, and receive a tax-deductible receipt, please contact click here or info@ckcf.ca.

The Canadian Kennel Club Foundation is looking for individuals who are interested in serving as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The composition of the Board allows for both CKC members as well as non-members.

For more information about the Foundation by-laws, please click here.

The Board plays a critical role in the Foundation’s direction and the fulfillment of its objects which are: a) to fund scientific research into canine health issues and b) to promote knowledge and understanding of the benefits which dogs bring to Canadian society.

Individuals considering this role should be prepared to commit the time required to participate in monthly teleconferences, the annual general meeting, as well as the time to execute various assigned tasks to help develop the organization.

The individual should be comfortable operating as part of a team, working toward a common goal to ensure the success of the Foundation. A background in law, accounting, marketing, communications, fund-raising, scientific research, website and donor management are examples of the skills being sought on this board. Past experience with a charitable foundation is an asset. Your role as a director will be to maintain a strong network, dedicated to the mission of carrying out the objects of the Foundation. Board members will be asked to donate their time and energy and will not be paid or reimbursed for their work however, their dedication and contribution will support a great cause.

If you have questions or are interested in being considered for a position on the Board, please provide your name and a brief outline of your experience and, what attributes and skills you bring that will assist you in this philanthropic role. Please send your submission by December 11, 2015 to the CKC Foundation at info@ckcf.ca or to the attention of The CKC Foundation 200 Ronson Drive, Suite 402, Etobicoke, Ontario   M9W 5Z9.

Dogs have an ally in efforts to address the effectiveness of lymphoma treatments and excessive bleeding in at-term pregnant bitches.  The Canadian Kennel Club Foundation, a nationally registered charity, has announced it will provide $32,500 in funding to two research projects related to these serious canine issues.  Seventeen-thousand-seven hundred ($17,700) will be provided to lymphoma research and $14,800 to excessive bleeding in at-term bitches.

Lymphoma (a type of cancer) treatment is costly and a heartache for dog owners and there are many different possible approaches to treatment so it’s important to determine as soon as possible whether the selected approach is working so that alternate treatments can be considered.  The research project would help identify effectiveness of the treatment method.

There are incidences of at-term bitches experiencing inexplicable traumatic and catastrophic blood loss during puppy delivery and/or during Cesarean sections. The research project will track a sample of bitches throughout pregnancy and attempt to identify, through low-cost blood serum tests, those that could be at-risk for severe bleeding during delivery.

Organizations eligible for Canadian Kennel Club Foundation funding were invited earlier in 2014 to submit applications for funding in a competitive process.  From eight very high quality applications received, a sub-committee of the Canadian Kennel Club Foundation consisting of research scientists reviewed and recommended the two approved applications, both from the University of Guelph in Ontario.

“Both of these projects offer the potential of high success which could result in helping affected dogs.  That said, scientific research is a moving target and each step takes us forward to possible health care solutions for our beloved companions even if an initial project’s hypothesis fails,” said foundation board member Dr. Rod Jouppi, DVM.  “With these grants, the Canadian Kennel Club Foundation is stating that it supports improved health of our canine companions and of reducing the grief to owners when their dogs face health challenges.”

To find out how you can support the CKCF’s goals with a donation, and receive a tax-deductible receipt, please click here or contact info@ckcf.ca.

For more information contact:

Tara Merrimen
1-877-887-CKCF (2523)
info@ckcf.ca

The Canadian Kennel Club Foundation is looking for individuals who are interested in serving as a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.The composition of the Board allows for both CKC members as well as non-members.

For more information about the Foundation by-laws, please click here.

The Board plays a critical role in the Foundation’s direction and the fulfillment of its objects which are:  a) to fund scientific research into canine health issues and b) to promote knowledge and understanding of the benefits which dogs bring to Canadian society.

Individuals considering this role should be prepared to commit the time required to participate in monthly teleconferences, the annual general meeting, as well as the time to execute various assigned tasks to help develop the organization.

The individual should be comfortable operating as part of a team, working toward a common goal to ensure the success of the Foundation.  A background in law, accounting, marketing, communications, fund-raising, scientific research, website and donor management are examples of the skills being sought on this board. Past experience with a charitable foundation is an asset. Your role as a director will be to maintain a strong network, dedicated to the mission of carrying out the objects of the Foundation. Board members will be asked to donate their time and energy and will not be paid or reimbursed for their work however, their dedication and contribution will support a great cause.

If you have questions or are interested in being considered for a position on the Board, please provide your name and a brief outline of your experience and, what attributes and skills you bring that will assist you in this philanthropic role. 


Please send your submission by January 5, 2015 to the CKC Foundation at info@ckcf.ca or to the attention of The CKC Foundation 200 Ronson Drive, Suite 402, Etobicoke, Ontario M9W 5Z9.

The Canadian Kennel Club Foundation (CKCF) today issued a call for funding proposals of up to $30,000.  The call went to Canadian research institutions and is for canine health research involving causes, diagnosis and treatment of canine diseases.

“I am very pleased that the CKCF is moving forward with this important work that will ultimately improve the quality of life for our canine companions who bring so much to our lives,” said foundation president Marg Moran McQuinn.

Proposals are due by July 1, 2014, and will then be peer reviewed with recommendations provided to the CKCF board of directors for final approval.  Successful applicants will be announced by November 1, 2014.  The foundation has previously donated $15,000 to a Quebec veterinary college for a research project as well as a nominal amount to each veterinary college in Canada.

To receive CKCF funds, organizations must be meet Revenue Canada’s definition of qualified registered charity donees under the Income Tax Act.

The CKCF has two streams of available funds: the health research stream and the “community” stream.  Funds have been designated for applications to both in 2014, with the health research applications first out of the gate.  The call for applications for the “community” stream will come later in the year, which could conceivably fund eligible applicants in the training/equipping of service dogs, education on responsible dog ownership, creation of off-leash parks, etcetera.

The CKCF is a federally registered, non-profit charitable corporation (#82733 RR0001) and was established approximately seven years ago by a group of dog lovers including Canadian Kennel Club members and directors, veterinarians and other non-profit groups.  It is dedicated to the enhancement of the health and welfare of dogs and the education and promotion of the benefits that dogs bring to communities and society.

For more information, or to make a donation, please visit the CKCF website at www.ckcf.ca.

Contact:
Marg Moran McQuinn
CKCF President
1-877-887-2523
info@ckcf.ca