Canine Health and Research

NEAA and Canine Health and Research

Who doesn’t want their Norwegian Elkhound to live a happier, healthier, longer life?

NEAA’s Canine Health and Research Committee (CH&R) believes that our breed can attain those goals by focusing on the health and well being of the Norwegian Elkhound and keeping NEAA members apprised of current trends and issues that could impact the breed. The six members of the committee come from diverse regions of the country each bringing knowledge and expertise from various animal health and medical fields. The committee utilizes available knowledge, generates funding, identifies research objectives and disseminates information as it relates to the health of the Norwegian Elkhound.

Responsible elkhound breeders adhere to the testing recommendations passed in 2014 by the NEAA board: breeding stock should have hips x-rayed for hip dysplasia with results submitted to OFA or evaluated by PennHip; eyes should be examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist with results submitted to OFA; urinalysis; CBC/blood chemistry; and thyroid testing. Thanks to dedicated breeders’ attention to testing and pedigrees, the Norwegian Elkhound remains a healthy, robust breed.

Through the NEAA Research Fund and the AKC/Canine Health Foundation – Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund, NEAA supports research vital to the health of Norwegian Elkhounds specifically and the canine community as a whole.

Studies encompassing canine cancer, epilepsy, leptospirosis, hip dysplasia, thyroid abnormalities, and ophthalmologic defects, to name a few, have received funding from NEAA, its members and friends.

You, too, can support this wonderful breed. Donate to the NEAA Research Fund and/or the AKC Canine Health Foundation http://www.akcchf.org  (indicate the Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund on your gift).

The NEAA Supports Canine Health Research

The Norwegian Elkhound Association of America (NEAA) administers two funds to support vital canine health research: the NEAA Research Fund and the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund. The ability to contribute to canine health studies around the world is made possible by money donated to these funds by NEAA members and friends of the Norwegian Elkhound.

The NEAA Research Fund is held in the NEAA treasury and its funds are dispersed by the NEAA Board of Directors acting on recommendations from the NEAA Canine Health and Research Committee (CH&R) and the general membership. Grants have been made for studies conducted at the University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, Colorado State University, University of Wisconsin, Baker Institute at Cornell University, and National Institutes of Health to name a few. These studies have investigated such canine health issues as enhanced safety during surgical procedures requiring anesthesia, vaccine protocols, and cutting edge cancer treatment.

The AKC Canine Health Foundation administers the Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund. For almost 20 years and nearly $95,000 in donations, NEAA has helped to progress the health of our canine companions through the AKC/CHF. In addition to contributions from members and friends, the NEAA participates in the Purina Parent Club Partnership(PPCP) Program. The PPCP Program supports canine health research funded by the AKC/CHF in partnership with national parent breed clubs and their members who participate. Participation Purina Pro Club members earn Purina Points by submitting proofs of purchase from qualifying Purina pet food (e.g. Pro Plan, PPVD, ONE, Forti-Flora). For every $100 of qualifying Purina Points earned by Pro Club members, Purina donates $10 to the participating national parent club, in which half goes to the breed club and half to the club’s Donor Advised Fund at the AKC Canine Health Foundation. Pro Club members must individually declare their participation in the program and identify the national parent breed club that will receive their Purina Points. Visit http://www.purinaproclub.com for more information.

The NEAA CH&R Committee, in conjunction with the NEAA Officers and Directors, make recommendations to support specific AKC/CHF projects that will benefit general canine health and Norwegian Elkhounds, specifically. An up-to-date list of the research that NEAA has supported through its AKC/CHF Donor Advised Fund follows this article.

To help continue this amazing research progress by making a contribution to the AKC/CHF Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund, please go to the AKC Canine Health Foundation website http://www.akcchf.org/how-to-help/ Be sure to specify on your check or on-line donation as follows: “AKC/CHF Norwegian Elkhound Donor Advised Fund.”

A contribution to the NEAA Research Fund may be made as follows:

NEAA, c/o Flo Tumulo, Treasurer, 3859 Magee Avenue, Oakland, CA  94619

Please make your check to NEAA and designate the donation for the “NEAA Research Fund.”

The NEAA CH&R Committee thanks you all for your generous contributions and continued support.