The English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association Foundation (The Foundation) is a non-profit charity formed to secure and to provide financial and support for projects that focus charitable, educational and research efforts on dogs in general and the English Springer Spaniel in particular.
The purpose of the Foundation is:
- To foster and promote the public’s knowledge and appreciation of dogs in general and English Springer Spaniels in particular.
- To further understanding of the diseases, genetic anomalies and injuries which affect dogs in general and English Springer Spaniels in particular.
- To support and promote study of and research on the character, uses, history, genetics, breeding and related characteristics which establish the English Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed of dog.
- To support and promote the study and practice of responsible breeding principles as applied to dogs in general and the English Springer Spaniel in particular.
- To establish and maintain data bases in support of the charitable, educational and research efforts promoted by this organization.
- To develop information and make it available to the general public, English Springer Spaniel breeders, veterinarians and other dog care/training professionals, exhibitors and owners. Developed information should include, but not be limited to, the proper care, treatment, breeding, health characteristics, physical development and appropriate behavioral training of English Springer Spaniels.
For more information about The Foundation, visit their website at http://englishspringerfoundation.org/
In keeping with their Mission, The Foundation will be sponsoring the following events at the National Specialty:
HEALTH AND GENETICS PRESENTATIONS
Tuesday, October 10 at 6:00 pm – Founders Room, Refreshments will be available
The ESS Foundation is pleased to welcome Dr. Keiko Miyadera, DVM, PhD, Penn Vet and Dr. Steven Friedenberg, DVM, PhD Dip. ACVECC to present current research on English Springer Spaniels. Dr. Miyadera will present her findings from the Phase 1 PRA studies and the plans for the continuation of a longitudinal Phase 2 study. Dr. Friedenberg will present his findings regarding a rare bleeding disorder in English Springer Spaniels and his collaboration with Cornell University to provide genetic testing for the disease.
Light Refreshments will be served. In order to get a rough headcount, please let us know if you plan to attend by filling out the form on the Reservations page.
TESTING AND SAMPLE COLLECTION, BLOOD DRAW
Testing, sample collection and blood draw will be available from Wednesday, October 11 through Saturday, October 14 in the Service Center. Sign up at Show Central when you arrive. Both the eye exam and banking of blood will be at no cost to participants.
Dr. Keiko Miyadera, a veterinary ophthalmologist and genetic researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the ESS Foundation and AKC CHF, is offering a complimentary PRA vision test and PRA genetic testing for the ESS Foundation research project. Of particular interest are affected dogs, related carriers and previously examined dogs. Blood draws, both for PRA testing and the ESS DNA bank will be available at the same time. If you wish to submit a sample to the DNA Bank at the University of Missouri. Please bring your dog’s pedigree and U of Penn PRA form with you to participate in the PRA study: https://www.vet.upenn.edu/docs/default-source/research/miyadera-lab/screening-form_ess-pra.pdf?sfvrsn=9b7ae9ba_0
If you wish to submit a blood sample to the U of Missouri, please fill out the CHIC DNA Bank form https://ofa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/chic_dnabankapp_main.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Puk34pnsmOTSBt9tPTdOSyAnsCflJ2-5BowFtFqPTRMqH8z78b2t361s . Samples without complete information will not be accepted.
Dr. Friedenberg will be providing cheek swab testing for the genetic test for the bleeding disorder. More details on this testing will be available closer to the National Specialty