The Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study has a Mission:
“Our Mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Morris Animal Foundation improves and protects the health of animals through scientific innovation, education and inspiration.
Founded by a veterinarian in 1948, we continue to be a science-driven organization, funding critical health studies for the benefit of all animals. 20,000 + species benefit from our research.
Diseases often aren’t species specific. When we help one animal, the new knowledge gained can have a ripple effect to help related species or entire ecosystems.”
“The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is one of the largest, most comprehensive prospective canine health studies in the United States. The Study’s purpose is to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle and genetic risk factors for cancer and other diseases in dogs. Each year, with the help of veterinarians and dog owners, the Foundation collects health, environmental and behavioral data on 3,000 + golden retrievers.”
“Findings will be used as a launching point for multiple health studies in dogs.”
Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club is very proud to be a part of this important and worthwhile study. As part of the study, our participants must fill out a lengthy annual questionnaire with questions covering every aspect of our dogs’ lives from the food they eat and the environment they live in to their emotional and physical wellbeing. The questionnaire is completed prior to the dog’s annual physical by the participant’s veterinarian who is registered with the study. Prior to the vet visit, owners receive a test kit in the mail which contains numerous vials. This test kit is brought to the visit for the veterinarian to use to collect blood, urine, feces, hair and nail samples from the dog. Lab results are forwarded to each participant and their vet.
The following HVGRC members and their dogs are enrolled in this study:
Audrey Coleman; HRCH Skylight’s Repeat Offender SH CDX CCA CGC “Pete Hero #770”
Pete was enrolled in the study July of 2013 and is 9 years old.
Joe & Lorraine Cusimano; Overlook Blend of Sun and Skye CGCA THDX CCA “Sundance Hero #2671”
Sundance was enrolled in the study January of 2015 and is 8 years old
Alyson Fuge; Jacaranda’s Running Wild CCA “Brooke Study # 094-023415” Jacaranda’s Dancing With The Stars TD CCA “Chelsea Study # 094-0033733”
Chelsea was enrolled in the study in 2013 and died at age 8. Necropsy revealed death from multiple myeloma.
Brooke was enrolled in the study in 2014 and is 8 years old.
Lynn Halpern; Overlook Sutton Downpour CDY RA CGC CCA “William Study # 094-030652”
William was enrolled in the study in 2015 and is 8 years old.
Chris Miele; Cross Creek Waltz Right In AX AXJ OF “Matilda Hero # 16” Cross Creek EZ Breezy Cover Girl OA AXJ OF “Flirt Hero # 1705”
Matilda was enrolled in the study June 2012 and is 10 years old.
Flirt (Matilda’s daughter) was enrolled in the study May 2014 and is 8 years old.
Jean Owen; MACH 5 OTCH Morningstar’s Sky High IQ UDX2 OM4 OM4 “Smartie Pantz Hero # 920
Smartie Pantz was enrolled in the study March 2013 and is 9 years old.