The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (CHF) develops significant resources for basic and applied health programs, with emphasis on canine genetics, to improve the quality of life for dogs and their owners.

The AKC contributed $1.7 million to the Foundation in 2005, including in-kind contributions.

Research studies supported by the Foundation have led to the development of the canine gene map and the creation of tests for many breed-specific diseases. Since 1995, nearly $15 million in canine health grants have been approved. In 2005, the Foundation awarded over $2 million in research grants to investigators.

The Foundation's first-ever Endowment Fund campaign was launched in October 2004 with a $500,000 challenge grant from the AKC. By year-end 2005, the campaign raised over $600,000 toward the challenge-20 percent more than the target amount.

In recognition of the CHF's administrative efficiency, the Foundation was awarded a 2005 "Best in America" Certificate of Excellence by the Independent Charities of America and was given a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, an honor earned by only a quarter of the nation's nonprofit organizations.

The American Kennel Club was the recipient of the CHF 2005 President's Award, in recognition of significant contributions to Canine Health. In October, Dr. Elaine Ostrander received the first Asa Mays, DVM, Excellence in Canine Health Research Award.

Call the CHF at 888-682-9696 or e-mail to akcchf@aol.com. For full, updated reports of Foundation activities, visit www.akcchf.org.