Greetings!, We are often asked, "What is the Charitable Trust?" In short, the Trust is you! It is the Newfoundland dog breeders, owners and supporters who pool their resources to make a difference in the lives of our beloved gentle giants every day. The Trust supports activities of both Rescue and the Newfoundland Health Challenge. The National Rescue Network provides a safety net for regional club rescue groups and areas where no regional club exists to find safe and loving forever homes for Newfoundlands in need. The Health Challenge helps us raise the needed funds to support Research Grants to improve the health of future generations of Newfoundlands. We are currently focusing our research efforts on genetic research in SAS, Cranial Cruciate Disease and basic scientific research to help researchers develop the tools necessary for development of genetic markers. Please help us spread the word about the work we do- can you forward our message to five friends?
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NCA/OFA Health Survey A Huge Success!
|  1404 Newfoundland owners from 30 countries have entered 3146 dogs in the OFA/NCA Health Survey. This important survey will help to guide research funding and education for years to come - make sure your dogs are represented. The survey will be closed on 12/31/12 - this is your last chance to enter your dog's health information.Take the survey now and join other committed Newfoundland owners in contributing towards a healthy future for every Newfoundland.
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Rescue Grants Save Lives - Chris Owen
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 Caleb came into the Southeast Newfoundland Club rescue program in January, 2012. His first family chained him outside because he moved furniture, knocked kids over and played in his water bowl - messing up the house. His second owner wasn't much better, leaving him locked in a barn stall "for his own good" when she realized  that he couldn't see. She couldn't afford to treat him and contacted rescue.
Caleb was diagnosed with progressive KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca) and bi-lateral Entropion, and only had partial vision in one eye.
Thanks to a grant from NCA Rescue, SENC was able to provide Caleb's needed eye surgeries. Caleb (now Coltrane) was adopted by a wonderful gentleman and is now living in GA. Every Sunday they go to Krispy Kreme for fresh, hot donuts-Coltrane gets a plain glazed one-then they hike along the Chattahoochee for a couple of miles.
Your donations to NCA Rescue can help more dogs like Caleb see their future in a whole new light. Please help today.
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Health Challenge Takes on SAS - Jenny Zablotny DVM
|  Subaortic stenosis is a congenital, genetic heart defect. It can affect any dog, but is most commonly seen in Newfoundlands, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers. It is typically diagnosed in puppies 16 weeks of age or older, although more severe cases will present at younger ages.
Diagnosis of SAS is anything but straightforward. The narrowed artery produces turbulent flow, which causes a murmur best heard on the left side of the chest at the heart base. In general, the louder the murmur and the earlier that it is heard, the more severe the disease. Many breeders have their puppies screened for cardiac diseases by a veterinary cardiologist prior to leaving for their new homes at eight to 10 weeks of age. However, not all murmurs that are heard at eight weeks are pathologic, and puppies with a mild narrowing may not have a murmur when they are checked.
Adult Newfoundlands should be ausculted by a veterinary cardiologist after one year of age. While auscultation is a very cost effective and accurate method to screen adult dogs for SAS, any dog, especially breeding animals or puppies over the age of 16 weeks, that has a murmur should have an echocardiogram or ultrasound of the heart. Innocent murmurs are not uncommon in large and giant breed, athletic dogs. Exercise alone is enough to cause a murmur in some individuals. This is not pathologic, and an echo will confirm a normal heart.
A DNA test for the gene that causes SAS would be ideal. With funding from the NCA Charitable Trust, Dr. Meurs at the North Carolina State University Cardiology lab is recruiting samples of normal and affected Newfoundlands. For more information, please visit the study website. SAS can be a frustrating and heartbreaking disease. Educating breeders and potential puppy purchasers has raised awareness of this disease and the steps needed to reduce the incidence in Newfoundlands. Ultimately, identification of the abnormal gene will make it possible to eliminate SAS from our dogs.
You support of the NCA Health Challenge funds cutting edge veterinary research creating a healthy future for every Newfoundland dog. Please give what you can to help.
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A Gift for the Future - Andy Zinsmeyer
|  Dr. David Trueblood said, "It takes a noble person to plant a seed and grow a tree that will one day provide shade to those whom one may never meet". Last year, through the support of Newfoundand owners like you, we were able to launch the Newfoundland Endowment Fund. This endowment will be used to help secure a safe and healthy future for every Newfoundland. Generous supporters, including the Barbara Frey memorial donors have brought the endowment fund to $24,000 this year. Our challenge now is to grow the endowment fund to a self-sustaining level. Think about a future where the worry of hip dysplasia, bloat or SAS did not haunt Newfoundland breeders and owners or when a safe and loving forever home was waiting for every Newfoundland puppy born. Your donation today to the Newfoundland endowment fund can help to make that vision a reality. Gifts of cash, appreciated securities, real estate, art, collectibles and other assets can all help to grow the endowment. Contact Andy Zinsmeyer to learn more.
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Lucky Penny Gets A New Lease on Life - Susan Kerby
|  A very special young female Newfoundland, starting life in less than desirable health and circumstances, has an opportunity to live, thanks to Dr. Brian Scansen, DVM, MS, Dipl ACVIM (Cardiology) at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine (OSU CVM) and the Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust.
After cleaning away the dirt and removing multiple ticks, a "Lucky Penny" landed with South Central Newfoundland Rescue (SCNR) as a new foster. She had cherry eye in both eyes severely affecting her vision. She was surrendered to South Central Newfoundland Club from another rescue organization in hopes that a forever home, familiar with subaortic stenosis (SAS), would be found. A veterinary cardiologist reported severe SAS at roughly six months of age, which is not a good prognosis for a long future.
The Newfoundland Club of America Charitable Trust Management Board (CTMB) discussed the case. Normal life expectancy for severe SAS, without any treatment, is 2-3 years. A surgical decision might help this puppy and additionally might help other Newfoundlands and breeds that suffer from this horrible disease. The Trust Board unanimously approved the procedure with the understanding that all information learned would be reported back to the Charitable Trust throughout this puppy's life.
Eleven weeks post surgery, Penny acts like a normal Newfoundland puppy that thinks she's a goat and can climb the highest mountain. She loves squeaky toys and has learned some basic house manners. We don't know how this is going to end, but Penny has been given the opportunity to live and what we learn from her, we hope will help others just like her. Now we wait; the rest is up to her. Read More of Penny's Story.
It is easy and secure to make an online donation to support the work of the NCA Charitable Trust - won't you take a moment to help more dogs like Penny lead a long, healthy life?
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