AKC Delegate:  Dr. Carmen Battaglia

A member in good standing appointed by the Board each year and is not subject to term limitations. As such:

 The Canine Health Information Center, also known as CHIC, is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).  Their mission is to provide a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists, that will assist in breeding healthy dogs.

CHIC Goals

• To work with parent clubs in the identification of health issues for which a central information system should be established.
• To establish and maintain a central health information system in a manner that will support research into canine disease and provide health information to owners and breeders.
• To establish scientifically valid diagnostic criteria for the acceptance of information into the database.
• To base the availability of information on individually identified dogs at the consent of the owner.

Chair: Ginny Altman

 The Committee has recommended funding studies, in conjunction with the AKC, to proceed with genetic study into canine anal fistulas.

The DNA Collection at the 2007 National was successful. This effort provided samples to Dr. Clemmons for study of GSD Degenerative Myelopathy, to the Broad Institute, and for other studies. The need continues because studies that have been undertaken specific to GSD require additional DNA samples. Additional funding has been provided through Purina to pursue more genetic testing on this important health issue.