All Astronauts

In a year when simply surviving represented an accomplishment, IPFD made significant strides in several key initiatives in 2020, and we look to 2021 with strength, creativity, and optimism. Reviewing my message from 2019, several points deserve repeating in the context of 2020. IPFD was designed to enhance and share the great work being done by our Partners and others in the dog world. In 2019 I said, “The acknowledgement of the need for multi-stakeholder, international collaboration and action is widespread and consistent.” Still true, however, the increased and unprecedented demands of local, regional, and national responsibilities of our volunteers and collaborators due to the pandemic led to further dependence on IPFD to maintain and advance international perspectives. The need for the impartial, balanced, big-picture voice of IPFD, and our inclusive approach to complex challenges of dog health and welfare, was even clearer in 2020, when various legislative challenges led to division and dispute within the international dog community. The positive response to IPFD documents and webinars on Reframing Discussions and promoting international cooperation and collaboration bodes well. 2020 saw a new initiative with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association: a regular feature in their Bulletin, linked to Get a GRIHP! articles on our site to heighten understanding of breed-specific issues internationally, for veterinarians, owners, and breeders. As IPFD continues to enhance stability and sustainability, with exciting challenges ahead, we can celebrate and capitalize on our potential to work for the love of dogs and for the people who love dogs.

At a time of profound change within the dog world – from pandemic puppies to breeding legislation – we continue to work with our stakeholders to educate our global community and promote what is truly in the best interest of all dogs. When I joined IPFD as Business and Project Coordinator in August of 2021, I was aware of the large international network contributing to IPFD’s work. However, I was especially (and pleasantly) surprised by the dedication of our small team and in learning how many truly wonderful collaborators we have. Upon my appointment to Acting CEO in November, I have become even more aware of IPFD’s crucial role in a changing world. We need collaboration among our stakeholders now more than ever. As Covid-19 continued to present challenges in 2021, we weren’t able to meet face-to-face with many of our colleagues and supporters. But as a virtual organization, IPFD continues to function effectively and grow. With more members, more website traffic, and more social media followers, IPFD stands well positioned to carry out our important work in 2022 and beyond.

I joined IPFD as its new CEO in October 2022, a time of significant transition for the organization – IPFD’s founding CEO Dr. Brenda Bonnett having recently retired, and our Business and Project Coordinator Katariina Mäki leading the organization capably as Acting CEO. In the months since, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know and work alongside a dedicated team of consultants, our distinguished Board, and IPFD’s outstanding partners and supporters around the world. And one of the things I look foward to most in 2023 is building new relationships with the diverse group of organizations we are reaching out to now. I come to IPFD at a time of great change within the dog world as well, and I have been tasked with adapting our growing organization to this new reality while also continuing IPFD’s role in providing an unbiased voice for the health of all dogs. I must offer a heartfelt thank you to our longtime Chair, Pekka Olson, and our colleagues at the Swedish Kennel Club for their indispensible help in getting me up and running as CEO and for their ongoing administrative support of our team and the organization as a whole. I’m excited about the intiatives underway in 2023 and for what is to come in the next chapter for the International Partnership for Dogs!

A key aspect of IPFD’s mission is to “facilitate collaboration and sharing of resources” through relationships with our partner organizations and individual contributors. In 2023, we focused significant effort on these crucial relationships – reinvigorating partnerships with those supporting IPFD since its humble beginnings, reconnecting with former partners, and establishing new connections with stakeholders around the world. It is the sum of these partnerships that gives IPFD a solid foundation on which we can build an enduring global collaboration for the benefit of all dogs.