Animal Health Performance Program

• Canine Detection Research Institute
• Veterinary Sports Medicine

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in athletic animals and working animals. This interest has lead to an increase in recreational sports such as jogging, retrieving, and horse back riding, as well as the use of animals for their extraordinary abilities such as detection.  In addition, this interest has directed new ideas on how exercise and nutrition can help fight and prevent epidemics in our pet population such as obesity and other pathologies. To address the needs of health and performance of the general pet population, recreational athletic animals, athletic animals, and working animals, Auburn University has formed the Animal Health and Performance Program (AHPP). The mission of the AHPP is to advance and disseminate knowledge concerning maintenance and enhancement of health, physical performance, and quality of life. 

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine has a rich tradition in research and understanding of animal performance. The College currently has two long standing programs, the Veterinary Sports Medicine Program (VSMP) and the Canine Detection Research Institute (CDRI). Both the VSMP and CDRI now reside under the mission of the AHPP and are working hard to advance animal health and performance. Also the AHPP has the support of one of the premier veterinary colleges in the nation and all of the individual experts that reside within the college. The AHPP is a leader in understanding the needs of athletic and working animals and the benefits that exercise can have on the general health of animals.