About the CAHF
Improving health care for your best friends.
Since 1978, the Companion Animal Health Fund has supported specialized veterinary training, innovative research and the introduction of new technology at its home — the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon, Sask.
Each year, the Fund provides members of WCVM’s faculty and graduate students with an average of $70,000 in funding to support a range of companion animal health research studies. As well, the Fund contributes to the specialized training of graduate students through its annual research fellowship program. Another major goal for the Fund is to contribute to the purchase of vital equipment and new technologies at the College’s Veterinary Medical Centre.
The secret to the Fund’s success is the tremendous support that it receives from a variety of people, groups and businesses. Donations from hundreds of pet owners, veterinarians, breed and sport organizations, pet health companies and humane societies have helped to transform WCVM into an international centre of excellence for companion animal health education, research and specialized services.
During its three-decade history, the Companion Animal Health Fund has:
- supported dozens of companion animal health studies through its annual research grant program. CAHF-backed studies have led to advances in medical imaging, reconstructive surgery, veterinary ophthalmology, clinical pathology and diagnostic immunohistochemistry.
- sponsored the specialized training of more than 30 graduate students through its fellowship program. Former CAHF Research Fellows are now specialists in small animal surgery, veterinary internal medicine, medical imaging, clinical pathology and ophthalmology at clinical, research and academic centres throughout North America.
- contributed thousands of dollars to the purchase of essential equipment and new technologies at WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre. Supporters of the Fund have helped to provide the College with an operating microscope, computed tomography (CT), a C-arm fluoroscope unit, Bair Huggers (warming units for intensive care patients) and much more.
- introduced generations of undergraduate veterinary students to the variety of careers available in companion animal health including private practice, specialized practice, research and academia.
- promoted companion animal health education and awareness among western Canadian pet owners through educational seminars and through Vet Topics — the Fund’s news publication.
