Breathing easier: AVMF, in partnership with Stanton Foundation, award $150k grant to improve canine care
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), in collaboration with the Stanton Foundation, has awarded a $150,000 grant to Dr. Kelley Thieman of Texas A&M University to support canine clinical research focused on cost-effective diagnostic and treatment options.
The selected research project, titled “Evaluating the Effect of Weight Loss on Respiratory Function Grading and Whole-Body Barometric Plethysmography in Brachycephalic Dogs,” was chosen for its strong potential to improve canine health outcomes while advancing practical, affordable care strategies in primary veterinary settings.
The Stanton Foundation Canine Spectrum of Care Clinical Trials Grant supports clinical research that directly addresses common canine diseases and conditions seen in everyday practice. Dr. Thieman’s study will explore how weight loss may help improve breathing in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds, which are frequently affected by brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)—a serious condition that impairs airflow and quality of life.
Brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, and Pugs continue to grow in popularity—ranking among the top 40 dog breeds in the U.S. As a result, veterinarians are treating more dogs with BOAS than ever before. However, clinical signs of BOAS are often underrecognized by both pet owners and veterinary professionals, as symptoms like noisy breathing are sometimes mistakenly accepted as normal for the breed.
The most common treatment option for BOAS is surgery, which is invasive, costly, and carries a risk of complications. Dr. Thieman’s research could offer a promising alternative: If weight loss improves respiratory function, it may provide a scientifically supported, non-surgical treatment option that is more accessible to pet owners and financially sustainable for veterinary practices.
“We are so thankful to receive this grant, which will allow us to perform this study. We are hopeful that we can identify a lower-cost option that will make treatment more accessible for all short-nosed breeds.” —Dr. Thieman
Using whole-body barometric plethysmography (WBP)—a validated tool for assessing pulmonary function in dogs—Dr. Thieman’s team will measure changes in breathing and oxygenation as dogs achieve healthy body condition scores. The project builds on previous research showing that obesity can worsen respiratory function, and that weight loss in non-brachycephalic dogs significantly improves pulmonary performance.
This research is especially timely given that an estimated 60% of U.S. dogs are overweight or obese, and excess weight has been shown to significantly exacerbate breathing issues in brachycephalic breeds. If successful, the study could not only transform care for BOAS patients, but also broaden the understanding of how weight loss may benefit dogs with other forms of respiratory dysfunction.
The study is expected to be completed within 24 months, with findings anticipated to guide primary care veterinarians in delivering care that is both effective and economically accessible—supporting the broader goals of the Canine Spectrum of Care initiative to increase evidence-based options for real-world clinical settings.
Animal health research is crucial to the future of veterinary medicine. AVMF devotes its efforts to raising financial support for research projects that will help lead to improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of prevalent, life-threatening diseases in animals.