This year's winners were praised for their commitment to making an impact on the health and well-being of dogs.

Prestigious awards celebrate innovative researchers and scientists

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust has opened nominations and applications for the International Canine Health Awards 2020. Urging people to nominate those whose work has lead to advancements in the field of dog health.

This year’s prize fund totals £66,000 – donated by founders of Metro Bank Vernon and Shirley Hill – to be used in new or continuing research. The judging panel will include esteemed figures in the veterinary profession and the world of scientific research, as well as experts from each of the short-listed nominee’s fields.

The four International Canine Health Awards are:

• International Prize in Canine Health – for outstanding contributions in the field of canine health and welfare
  
• Lifetime Achievement Award – this award will go to a veterinarian or scientist working in a related discipline who has dedicated much of their career to making a significant impact on the world of canine health
• UK Student Inspiration Awards (split into undergraduate and postgraduate awards) – this award will be presented to exceptional British veterinary school students who possess the potential to make advancements in the field of veterinary medicine and research focusing on dogs
• Breed Health Coordinator Award – to be presented to individuals from breed clubs or councils who have shown dedication to supporting health and welfare within their breed over the past year

Dr Andrew Higgins, chairman of the judging panel and trustee of the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which runs the awards, said: "The International Canine Health Awards recognises and commends the dedication shown by scientists and veterinarians in the field of dog health.

“We would highly recommend that people nominate a peer or colleague, or even themselves, if you feel that they have made, or will make, a significant contribution to the health and welfare of dogs.”

This year’s winners include Dr Danika Bannasch, who received the International Award for her significant contributions to developments in canine genetics.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was associate professor Gary Johnson, who was responsible for establishing the canine buccal mucosa bleeding time test as the standard procedure for detecting genetic disease in dogs.

Adrian Baez-Ortega won the Postgraduate Student Inspiration Award, to aid in his research of canine transmissible venereal tumours (CTVT), a condition that has infected domestic dogs for the past 8,000 years.

The ceremony will take place in May/June 2020 (date and venue to be confirmed). To submit a nomination for the 2020 awards click here.

Image (c) James Robinson/The Kennel Club