Winners of 2013 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship Donate Prize Winnings to Charities Helping Dogs and Dog Fanciers
Raleigh, NC (PRWEB) February 05, 2014 -- The AKC Canine Health Foundation and Take The Lead are pleased to announce they are the recipients of a $50,000 donation made by Milan Lint and Peggy Helming, two of the owners of GCH CH Claircreek Impression de Matisse, a Portuguese Water Dog known as “Matisse.” Matisse is the Best in Show winner of the 2013 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. His owners received $50,000 in prize money which was split equally between the two organizations.
Established in 1995, the AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) strives to prevent, treat, and cure canine disease by funding canine health research and educational programs. Funded grants provide better treatments, more accurate diagnosis and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that cause disease in areas such as oncology, cardiology, infectious disease, and musculoskeletal health.
Take The Lead was established in 1993 and provides direct services, support, and care for all qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from the devastating realities of life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Pamela Beale, Chairman, of Take The Lead said, “This donation recognizes all the work our community does for dogs and for the people in the sport of dogs. It is an honor for Take The Lead to receive this donation and to acknowledge our shared commitment to bettering the lives of the dogs and the people in our sport.”
“It is a testament to the generosity and caring of all participants in the sport of dogs that these prize winnings will benefit both the dogs and the people who love them,” said Terry T. Warren, AKC Canine Health Foundation CEO. “CHF is very pleased and honored to be recognized with this gift. We are also thrilled that this donation will have double the impact, helping all dogs live longer, healthier lives, because it is eligible to be matched through the American Kennel Club’s 2014 matching challenge,” said Warren.
By sharing their prize money equally between CHF and Take The Lead, Mr. Lint and Mrs. Helming are supporting both canine health research and assisting individuals in the sport of dogs who themselves face devastating diseases. Their generosity will impact both dogs and the people who breed, train, groom, show and love dogs. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to win Best in Show at the AKC/Eukanuba Championship and equally as special to support both organizations,” said Peggy Helming.
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About CHF
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping dogs live longer, healthier lives by funding research that helps prevent, treat, and cure canine disease. Established in 1995, CHF’s mission is to advance the health of all dogs and their owners by funding sound, scientific research and supporting the dissemination of canine health information. Through the generous support of the American Kennel Club, Nestlé Purina PetCare, Zoetis, dog clubs, and dog owners worldwide, CHF has dedicated more than $40 million to canine health research projects and education programs. Visit CHF online at http://www.akcchf.org for more information.
About Take The Lead
Take The Lead provides direct services, support and care for people in the sport of purebred dogs who suffer the devastation of life-threatening or terminal illness. Since 1994, Take The Lead has distributed over $3 million in client care. Visit Take The Lead online at http://www.takethelead.org for more information.
Sharla Seidel, AKC Canine Health Foundation, http://www.akcchf.org, +1 (919) 334-4014, [email protected]
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