Awards Presented at 6th International Dog Health Workshop in Bologna, Italy
The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFDogs) recognized outstanding contributors within the global dog community during its 6th International Dog Health Workshop in Bologna, Italy (30 May – 1 June).
“IPFDogs owes its existence and success to countless individuals and organizations who share their time, expertise, and resources in support of our collective goals,” says Marc Ralsky, CEO, International Partnership for Dogs. “These awards acknowledge those who truly go above and beyond in their contributions to the health and well-being of all dogs.”
Two awards were presented as part of gala dinner festivities on 31 May: The Dr. Brenda N. Bonnett Canine Excellence Award, which acknowledges the contributions of individuals; and The Dog Wellness Award, which acknowledges the contributions of organizations.
The Dr. Brenda N. Bonnett Canine Excellence Award
The Dr. Brenda N. Bonnett Canine Excellence Award was established to honor the legacy and contributions of Brenda Bonnett, DVM PhD, the Founding CEO of the International Partnership for Dogs.
This year’s recipient, Professor Jane Ladlow, was recognized for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of all dogs ‒ in particular, through her work in brachycephalic health and research into BOAS. Professor Ladlow is currently a clinical partner at Granta Veterinary Specialists in the UK, and her distinguished career has included general clinical work, soft tissue surgery, teaching at the University of Cambridge, and the publication of more than 30 research papers.
The Dog Wellness Award
Inspired by the Dr. Brenda N. Bonnett Canine Excellence Award, The Dog Wellness Award was created in 2026 to honor organizations that exemplify the core values of IPFDogs. Eligible candidates may include kennel and breed clubs, health committees, educational/research institutions, veterinary organizations, pet industry services/manufacturers and other key stakeholders within the dog community.
The first-ever Dog Wellness Award was presented to Agria, Europe’s largest pet insurer, for the outstanding embodiment of IPFDogs’ collaborative ethos ‒ by supporting important projects and conversations for more than a decade ‒ and for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of all dogs. The award was accepted by Christina Almtun, CCO for Agria’s European branches, and a speaker at the Bologna workshop.
“Our selection committee felt that several outstanding organizations were worthy of this recognition,” notes Ralsky. “But after thoughtful deliberation, they concluded that Agria was the most fitting recipient of the inaugural Dog Wellness Award. In many ways, we’re here today because of Agria’s support – through the Agria-SKK Research Fund, in the earliest days of developing the initiative that would become the International Partnership for Dogs; their steadfast commitment to collaboration over the past decade; and their generous sponsorship of numerous IPFDogs initiatives, including these important workshops.”
Agria Press Release: Agria awarded for its commitment to dog health - Agria Petinsure
About the Awards
The IPFDogs awards give the global dog community an opportunity to single out those who exemplify the core values of IPFDogs and demonstrate exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of all dogs. The recipients are chosen by IPFDogs’ Selection Committee following a public call for nominations.
More information on the awards, including their history and Terms of Reference, are posted here on DogWellNet – The Dog Wellness Network.
About Professor Jane Ladlow
Jane is one of the clinical partners at Granta Veterinary Specialists and a European and Royal College Specialist in Small Animal Surgery with more than twenty years’ experience in soft tissue surgery.
In addition to general clinical work and teaching students at the University of Cambridge, Jane has focused on upper airway disease in dogs, particularly brachycephalic obstructive airway disease (BOAS) and, with Dr Nai-Chieh Lui, she devised a non-invasive method of assessing airway function in flat faced dogs (bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs) and also introduced a clinical grading system for BOAS. This work led to the development of The Kennel Club/University of Cambridge Respiratory Function Grading Scheme to facilitate the breeding of healthy dogs. The RFG Scheme has been licensed in fifteen other countries so far which enables a more international overview of the health of these breeds.
Over the last twenty years, Jane has published more than 30 research papers; with her colleague, Jackie Demetriou, edited a textbook on general surgery in cats; and contributed to a number of other textbooks. She has trained residents, supervised PhD students and lectured internationally, including a Keynote lecture at ACVS, and is the recipient of the BSAVA Simon Award, the BVA Chiron Award and the FECAVA Didier-Noël Carlotti Award.
About Agria
Agria is a leading animal insurance company with operations across several European markets. Founded in Sweden in 1890, Agria is today a leading centre of expertise in animal health in Europe.
Through its international growth strategy, Agria aims to promote animal welfare and ensure the best possible care for pets, while giving their owners peace of mind, by offering insurance solutions and complementary services. Agria operates in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, the UK, France, Germany and Ireland, insuring 1.4 million pets and horses. Learn more about Agria's International Partnerships - Agria Djurförsäkring
About The International Partnership for Dogs (IPFDogs)
The International Partnership for Dogs is a non-profit organization leading a global, multi-stakeholder effort to enhance dog health and well-being. Its purpose is to foster information sharing and collaboration, for the benefit of all dogs worldwide.
IPFDogs’ signature events, the International Dog Health Workshops (IDHWs) are unique, action-focused gatherings of global experts and decision-makers in dog health and well-being. There have been six IDHWs to date: Stockholm, Sweden (2012); Dortmund, Germany (2015); Paris, France (2017); Windsor, UK (2019); Helsinki, Finland (2024); and most recently, Bologna, Italy (2026) co-hosted by the Italian Kennel Club (ENCI).
IPFDogs' web platform, DogWellNet ‒ The Dog Wellness Network (www.dogwellnet.com), facilitates international collaboration and the distribution of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Learn more about IPFDogs
Contact
Marc Ralsky
CEO, International Partnership for Dogs
Marc.Ralsky@IPFDogs.com
2026 IPFDogs Award Recipients
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