Overview: IPFD Virtual Dog Health Forum - June 2025

IPFD is hosting its first-ever Virtual Dog Health Forum in June – the midway point between last year’s 5^th International Dog Health Workshop
in Helsinki and the 6^th IDHW in Bologna, Italy, in 2026 – to continue discussions on key issues in dog health and well-being and
identify new opportunities for international collaboration.

If you were unable to join us in Helsinki, this will be a great opportunity to connect, share, and get involved!

Tuesday, 3^rd June & Wednesday, 4^th June 2025 (Online)
11am-3:15pm (EDT) / 15:00-19:15 (UTC)^*
 

^*Times subject to change

Just Published!
The paper, Moving from information and collaboration to action: Report from the 5^th International Dog Health Workshop in Helsinki, June 2024 has been published in the journal Companion Animal Health and Genetics. Authored by IPFD staff and workshop theme leaders, the report summarises key discussion points for each of the four workshop themes and identifies priorities and planned actions.

Registration
Coming Soon

The Virtual Dog Health Forum is brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor:

Overview
IPFD welcomes key stakeholders in the dog world ‒ including the same brilliant thought leaders who led discussions at the 5^th International Dog Health Workshop (IDHW) in Helsinki, Finland ‒ to join us for our 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum.

Building upon the momentum from the 5^th IDHW, the Forum will facilitate ongoing conversations on key issues in dog health and well-being, refocus collaborative work on action items from the Helsinki workshop, and set the stage for the 6^th IDHW in Bologna, Italy in 2026 (co-hosted by IPFD Contributing Partner, Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) ‒ the Italian Kennel Club).

The Forum theme, ‘Bridging the Gap’, embodies three concepts:

• Maintaining our momentum throughout the two years between the between 5^th and 6^th IDHWs
• Sharing perspectives and expertise between stakeholder groups on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and other regions around the globe
• Finding common ground among the diverse views and priorities in the dog community and identifying opportunities for international collaboration ‒ with the aim of enhancing the health and well-being of all dogs worldwide

Forum Objectives
The main objectives of the 2025 Virtual Dog Health Forum are to:

• Continue the promotion of collaboration and networking throughout our global community
• Continue the streams of conversation across the themes from the 5^th IDHW and other emerging issues in the dog world
• Review the outcomes from the 5^th IDHW and summarize the work done to date
• Set new targets/milestones for work to be completed before the in-person IDHW in 2026
• Secure commitments by individual contributors and organizations to help IPFD carry out this important work

Target Audiences

• Kennel and breed clubs (national and regional) and associated health committees, breeding advisors, etc.
• Veterinarians and veterinary care providers, veterinary organizations
• Canine authorities
• Researchers/educational institutions/students
• Pet industry product/service providers (e.g., genetic test providers, food manufacturers, insurers)
• Other non-profit canine health/welfare associations/organizations

Program
Preliminary Program - Updates to Come
Note: Times are indicated in EDT (UTC/GMT -4 hours)

Day 1 (3^rd June)

11:00      Welcome ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD

11:15       BOAS Program ‒ Eddie Dziuk, OFA

11:45      IPFD presentation on The DogWellnessNetwork; IPFD progress since Helsinki‒ Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, IPFD

12:15      Theme 1: Supply and Demand summary ‒ Rowena Packer, RVC

12:30     Theme 2: Breeding for Health and Well-being summary‒ Dan O’Neill, VetCompass, RVC

12:45     Break   

1:00       Group Panel discussion on progress and priorities       

1:45       Presentation on research/project ‒ (TBC) ICECDogs

2:15       Continued Group Panel discussion, agreeing next steps and action/identifying leaders

2:45      The state of global veterinary care ‒ (TBC) WSAVA

3:00-3:15    Final comments on the day      

Day 2 (4^th June)

11:00     Welcome Back ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD

11:15      Guest Speaker Europe ‒ (TBC) Pet Homelessness

11:45     Theme 3: Big Data summary ‒ Kari Ekenstedt, Purdue University

12:00    Theme 4: Does the Colour Matter? Breed vs Variety summary ‒  Alison Skipper, RKC

12:15     Presentation on research/project ‒ TBC, AKC Genetic Testing

12:45    Group Panel discussion on progress and priorities       

1:30      Break      

1:45      Continued Group Panel discussion, agreeing on next steps and action/identifying leaders

2:15      6^th International Dog Health Workshop, Bologna, Italy ‒ IPFD/Italian Kennel Club

2:30     Summary of collective next steps ‒ Aimée Llewellyn-Zaidi, IPFD

2:45     Thank yous ‒ Marc Ralsky, IPFD

Speakers, Theme Leaders, and Contributing Experts
Click here to view biographies

Our Sponsors

The Virtual Dog Health Forum is brought to you free of charge, thanks to the generous support of our Lead Sponsor:
 

The Royal Canin Division, owner of the ROYAL CANIN® brand, is part of Mars, Incorporated and a global leader in Health Through Nutrition for cats and dogs. Founded in 1968 by French veterinarian, Dr. Jean Cathary, Royal Canin continues to push the limits of nutrition and knowledge in partnership with pet professionals and experts to fulfill its Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.

Royal Canin collaborates with partners, including breeders and veterinarians, not only to design precise, science-based nutrition for cats and dogs but also to develop a variety of tools and services to generate a significant positive impact on pet health. The company does this in a respectful, responsible, and sustainable way towards pets, people, and planet.

To learn more about Royal Canin, visit www.royalcanin.com

Please contact us for additional sponsorship opportunities.

Questions?
Please contact us at info@ipfdogs.com

Stay tuned for updates!