Centre for Service and Working Dog Health
Did you know… that New Zealand reportedly has more working dogs in the farming sector than any other country except Russia? Despite this, very little has been published regarding the health and welfare of working farm dogs in New Zealand.
In addition to the agricultural sector, the Police, Department of Conservation and Foundation for the Blind all train dogs to assist their work. Our working canine cousins suffer various diseases and work specific injuries which need further investigation.
New Zealand farm dogs are icons of rural life. They have contributed "silently" to the economy of the country since farming commenced in New Zealand. Their special environment and the relationship they have with other animals and humans means they are more likely to share specific welfare problems and health problems.
In addition the Police, the Department of Conservation and the Foundation for the Blind all train dogs to assist in their daily work and to help people.
The Centre combines veterinarians from practice, the University and resources expertise from researchers across many veterinary disciplines: behaviour, welfare, medicine, epidemiology, surgery, and others to benefit and advance working dog health and welfare.
The Centre for Service and Working Dog Health and Research has its mission:
"to be a World leader in advancing working dog health and welfare".
With the key objectives being to:
- better the health and working life of New Zealand service and working dogs
- To study health issues by scientific enquiry, retrospective and prospective analysis and scientific investigation
The Centre is supported by donated funds and by research grant income for specific projects. Any funds donated to the Centre will be used to support activities and projects of the Centre. The Directors are responsible for all projects and initiatives of the Centre.
