Nominations open for International Canine Health Awards 2021
The awards are organised by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust.
Nominations are now open for the International Canine Health Awards 2021.
Now in its ninth year, the prestigious awards recognise and celebrate some of the world's finest researchers, veterinary surgeons and students dedicated to the improvement of dog health through science.
Organised by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT), the awards include substantial monetary prizes donated by the founders of Metro Bank.
The four awards are:
- International Prize in Canine Health – for outstanding contributions in the field of canine health and welfare, with a prize of £40,000 towards future projects.
- Lifetime Achievement Award – with a £10,000 prize, this award will go to a veterinarian or scientist working in a related discipline, who has dedicated much of their career to advancing the health and welfare of dogs.
- UK Student Inspiration Awards – these comprise postgraduate and undergraduate awards, with prizes of £10,000 and £5,000 respectively to aid further education costs, the development of their careers, or the creation/continuation of a project.
- UK Breed Health Coordinator Award – with a £5,000 prize, judges will be looking for individuals from UK Kennel Club breed clubs or councils who have demonstrated a dedication to supporting health and welfare within their breed over the previous year.
“We are also delighted to recognise the amazing work of our UK breed health coordinators who do such a good job supporting health and welfare programmes within breeds.”
The winner of last year's International Award was Professor Dr Tosso Leeb, who was recognised for his expertise in veterinary molecular genetics, leading to the formation of a world-class canine genetics research program in Bern, Switzerland. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Professor Dr Urs Giger for his work spanning four decades dedicated to the study of clinical haematology in dogs, hereditary diseases and transfusions medicine.
To submit a nomination, visit the Kennel Club Charitable Trust website and fill in the application form by 31 Jan 2021. Individuals are encouraged to nominate their colleagues worldwide for the International and Lifetime awards, but they may also nominate themselves.
The award ceremony will take place in May/June 2021, but owing to the current COVID-19 situation a date and venue is not yet confirmed.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
