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In collaboration with:
PRESENTS THE...
KONG Resident Research Award
The KONG Resident Research Award supports innovative research by veterinary specialty residents investigating evidence-based enrichment strategies for companion dogs and cats. This competitive grant program advances the scientific foundation of veterinary behavioral medicine while fostering the next generation of clinical researchers who will shape the future of animal welfare and behavior practice.
Vision Statement
We envision a future where every veterinary behavioral intervention is grounded in rigorous scientific evidence, where enrichment is recognized as essential preventive and therapeutic medicine, and where veterinarians, behavior specialists and the general public have the tools to measurably improve the lives of companion animals and strengthen the human-animal bond.
Mission Statement
To advance veterinary behavioral medicine by funding high-quality research that:
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Generates evidence-based knowledge about canine and feline enrichment
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Develops practical, clinically applicable interventions
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Trains future leaders in behavioral research
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Improves welfare outcomes for companion animals
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Strengthens the scientific foundation of the veterinary behavior specialty
Here's the need...
Despite growing recognition of behavioral health as integral to animal welfare, significant gaps remain in our evidence base:
Enrichment as Underutilized Medicine. While enrichment has demonstrated benefits for psychological wellbeing, stress reduction, and behavioral health, many veterinary practices lack concrete, species-specific, and condition-specific protocols. Research is needed to move beyond general recommendations to precise, evidence-based enrichment prescriptions tailored to individual patients and behavioral diagnoses.
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Training the Next Generation. Residents represent the future of veterinary specialty medicine. By supporting their research endeavors, we not only generate new knowledge but also train clinicians who understand research methodology, can critically evaluate evidence, and will continue contributing to the scientific literature throughout their careers.
So here's what we are doing about it...
We Provide:
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Financial Support: Funding for research materials, supplies, and direct project costs
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Provision of Product: If KONG products are of use, we supply these within reason at no charge
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Professional Recognition: Public acknowledgment of funded research and achievements
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We Expect:
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Scientific Rigor: High-quality research design and execution
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Ethical Standards: Exemplary animal welfare and research integrity
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Timely Progress: Completion of milestones within grant period
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Transparent Communication: Regular reporting and responsiveness to inquiries
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Knowledge Dissemination: Publication and presentation of results
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Acknowledgment: Recognition of grant support in all outputs
What This Grant Supports:
What This Grant Does Not Support:
To maintain focus on our mission, this grant does not fund:
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Resident salary or tuition
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General residency program operations
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Equipment or infrastructure for every day practice use
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Unrelated expenditures
Research Priority Areas:
While we welcome innovative approaches to any aspect of canine or feline enrichment, we are particularly interested in research addressing:
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Enrichment protocols for specific behavioral diagnoses (separation anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders, fear/phobia, cognitive dysfunction)
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Enrichment as adjunct therapy to pharmacological interventions
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Enrichment protocols for chronic stress reduction
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Preventive enrichment for at-risk populations
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Comparing the efficacy of different types of enrichment in different contexts
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Establishing measurable physiologic and behavioral effects of utilizing enrichment
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Validation of enrichment effectiveness measures
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Tools for assessing individual enrichment preferences and welfare impacts
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Understanding barriers to enrichment implementation
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Sustainability of long-term enrichment programs
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Enrichment design for specific populations, e.g. shelter animals, geriatric, juvenile, specific medical comorbidities, etc.
Questions?
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