Advancing compassion and science

The history of the Morris Animal Foundation and the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

For more than 75 years, Morris Animal Foundation’s (MAF) mission has been to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. It remains one of the world's largest nonprofit animal health research organizations, funding nearly $167 million in more than 3,000 critical animal health studies across a broad range of species. Thanks to the generous support of individuals and corporate partners, our research has impacted over 20,000 different species of animals, from dogs to dolphins.

In 2012, MAF launched a new project –the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS), one of the most comprehensive prospective canine health studies in the United States. Its purpose is to identify the nutritional, environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors for cancer and other diseases in dogs. The MAF team collects, with the help of veterinarians and dog owners, health, environmental, and behavioral data on 3,000+ enrolled golden retrievers.

MAF is about to celebrate the study’s 13th anniversary. Sadly, just over 1,000 dogs remain enrolled, with most other participants deceased or withdrawn. The oldest study participant just reached the ripe age of 14-years-old and the youngest is nearly 11 years old.

Cancer was identified as the cause of death for roughly 63% of all deaths in the cohort, with hemangiosarcoma the most common diagnosis. As the study enters the final phase, the MAF team is collaborating with other researchers to comb through the data. Several teams are analyzing DNA from study dogs–with and without cancer–to look for genes associated with increased risk, both as a prelude to new diagnostic test development and as potential therapeutic targets.

In addition to bench researchers, the MAF team is working with epidemiologists to comb through our cancer data to identify risk factors for disease. It is in the early stages of analysis but MAF hopes it will answer questions about genetic, environmental, and other factors influencing cancer development.

Understandably, as the cohort ages, end-of-life questions top the list of concerns we hear from our participant owners, and we’re grateful to Caring Pathways for helping us guide our study families through this difficult process.

Caring Pathways’ support of MAF

Caring Pathways has been a proud supporter of the MAF for many years, united by a shared commitment to advancing animal health and well-being. Through donations, Caring Pathways has been honored to contribute to their groundbreaking research, which has had a profound impact on the veterinary community and the pets and families we serve.

However, the partnership goes beyond financial contributions—it reflects Caring Pathway’s belief in the importance of evidence-based care and the value of investing in the future of veterinary medicine. Supporting MAF’s mission aligns seamlessly with Caring Pathway’s goal of providing compassionate, end-of-life care to pets while supporting their families through difficult transitions.

Offering targeted support of the golden retriever lifetime study

As the GRLS continues to yield critical insights into canine health, Caring Pathways has evolved its support to directly assist this groundbreaking initiative.

Donation sand discounts

Caring Pathways has dedicated targeted donations to help sustain the GRLS, recognizing the importance of this longitudinal study in identifying risk factors and improving health outcomes for dogs. These contributions ensure that this vital research can continue to make strides in understanding complex diseases like cancer and osteoarthritis.

To further support GRLS participants, Caring Pathway’s offered discounted TeleAdvice services to help pet owners navigate their dogs’ care in the later stages of life. These consultations provide owners with access to professional advice tailored to their pets’ specific needs, empowering them to make informed decisions about pain management and quality of life.

Educational webinars

Education is at the heart of what we do, and we’ve extended this commitment to GRLS cohort owners through a series of webinars. These sessions, focused on topics such as pain and quality of life, osteoarthritis, and canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome are designed to provide owners with practical tools and knowledge to enhance their dogs’ comfort and well-being.

Looking ahead: A continued partnership

Reflecting on the partnership with MAF, Caring Pathways is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to their transformative work.

At Caring Pathways, we truly believe MAF’s mission to advance animal health through science and remain committed to being a part of this journey. Together, we can ensure that pets live healthier, happier lives while supporting families through every stage of their beloved companions’ lives.

McGivney, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Colorado State University. Her diverse veterinary career includes completing a small animal internship, working as an emergency and general practitioner, serving as an in-home end-of-life care veterinarian, and working in the pet food industry as a veterinary consultant for a leading company. This unique blend of experiences prepared McGivney for her role as General Manager at Caring Pathways, where she leads a dedicated team of at-home, end-of-life specialists. Her deep passion for the human-animal bond allows her to combine her professional expertise with her love of veterinary care to support families during some of life’s most tender moments.

Diehl received her DVM from the University of Tennessee and started her practice career in a bustling emergency clinic in New Jersey. After one year in emergency practice, Diehl completed an internship at the prestigious Animal Medical Center in New York City. Following her internship, Diehl moved west, completing a residency in small animal medicine at Colorado State University. After finishing a 3-year NIH postdoctoral fellowship at National Jewish Health, Diehl joined the staff of the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado as the co-owner of the internal medicine section. After 14 years, Diehl left private practice to pursue a career in science communication and joined Morris Animal Foundation in 2013. Diehl is a board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist with an interest in gastroenterology and immunology. She lives in Colorado with her husband, 2 children, 2 cats, too many fish to count and a very lovable Labrador retriever.