---
title: Thank you for supporting canine health. Take a look back at what we accomplished together in 2024.
---

Your support helps dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives. 

| View in browser Thank you for what you helped us accomplish in 2025 for dogs Outreach and education to meet our mission 1st annual Bark in the Park 5k and Fun Run The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center (RCHC) in collaboration with Purina Cornell CHAMP (Canine Healthy Aging & Mobility Program), hosted its first annual Bark in the Park - 5K Fun Run & Walk on March 30, 2025 in New York City's Central Park.  Big Red Bark Chat - trusted resources to turn to for your pet's health  The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center (RCHC), launched Big Red Bark Chat, an AI-powered chatbot designed to help dog owners and veterinary professionals’ access reliable health information when and where they need it. Funding research impacting your dog's health Discovering clues to gastric cancer in dogs and humans The Cornell Riney Canine Health Center funded research that was recently published May 30 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study was conducted by a team of Cornell researchers who used canine DNA to uncover more than 15 genes linked to gastric cancer. Collecting Samples to Help More Dogs Dr. Jess Hayward, senior research associate in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and affiliate faculty member of the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center, attended the annual Greyhounds in Gettysburg (GiG) event in April 2025 to present her research to attendees and collect cheek swabs from willing pups on behalf of the Cornell Veterinary Biobank . Engagement RCHC attends New York State Veterinary Medical Society Annual Conference To further connect with veterinary professionals and practices to learn how we can best support professionals in the field, the RCHC team attended the annual NYSVMS conference hosted at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in September. In addition to connecting with professionals, RCHC offered information on a way for veterinary practices to use Big Red Bark Chat as a 24-7 veterinary assistant. 2025 By the Numbers Hello friend, As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with gratitude and pride on all we’ve accomplished together at the Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center (RCHC). This year marked not only a time of tremendous growth and impact for the center—but also the close of a chapter for me personally, as I prepare for my retirement from Cornell and step down as the inaugural Director of RCHC. Thanks to your support, 2025 has been our most impactful year yet! As you can see in the data shared above, just some of the highlights include: Our website welcomed over 3 million visitors, a testament to the growing demand for trusted canine health information. Our new Big Red Bark Chat, launched just this March, has already answered over 7,000 questions since its launch in May of this year and racked up 1.7 million views—connecting dog lovers with reliable, Cornell science-backed answers. And most importantly, your generosity helps us fund faculty research projects. This year some of the studies include: A study aimed at improving the diagnosis of carpal (wrist) injuries in athletic and working dogs Advancements addressing congenital heart defects in dogs Improvements in treatments for oral squamous cell carcinoma in dogs Treatments for osteosarcoma in dogs Quicker and less expensive diagnosis of lymphoma in dogs Each project brings us one step closer to improving the lives of dogs everywhere. It has been such an honor to lead this Center over the last two years, and I’m proud of the strong foundation we’ve built together. I especially want to acknowledge the unwavering effort that the Cornell Riney Health Center team has exerted to help us fulfil our mission to improve the health of dogs so that they all live well and long. With a dedicated team and an ever-growing community of supporters, the future of the Cornell Riney Canine Health Center is bright.   Thank you for believing in this mission and for making all of this possible. I leave this role filled with gratitude. I have learned so much from you and the Riney team about the importance of dogs in your lives and how we can help as best we can. I am excited to watch the Center continue to grow in its next chapter with our new and talented Director, Dr. Nicole Buote, associate professor of small animal surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences. We will be sharing the news more formally in the start of the new year when Dr. Buote takes over the role. Wishing you and your canine companions health and happiness in the year ahead. Warmly, Rory Todhunter, BVSc, MS, Ph.D. ’92, DACVS Director, Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center professor of surgery in the Department of Clinical Sciences Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine The Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center is a nonprofit organization. We rely on partnerships from dog lovers like you to fund the health studies, educational efforts, and outreach that makes the world a better place for dogs! The simplest, most effective way to help is to become a member for just $30 per year.   Will you consider starting your membership today? Find out more >> Become a Member Make a Gift Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, 930 Campus Rd., Box #40, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA Unsubscribe Manage preferences |
| --- |