Finnish Spitz Health Network

The Finnish Spitz Health Network, Inc. was established in 2006 as a US-based 501 (c) (3) organization with an international board. FSHN is dedicated to collecting, maintaining and disseminating genetic information on the Finnish Spitz breed and the inherited diseases from which it sometimes suffers, as well as supporting research that will benefit the future health of the breed. We serve all Finnish Spitz, regardless of their purpose, the goals of their owners, or where they live. Finnish Spitz Health Network will work both independently and in cooperation with researchers, breed and all-breed clubs, canine health organizations and canine health foundations that engage in or contribute to canine genetics research. Our goal is to assist breeders in reducing the incidence of genetic disease in the Finnish Spitz while breeding for good temperament and type.

Hereditary diseases are a continuing breed issue. Without access to information about those diseases, breeders and owners cannot make informed decisions. Without research specific to Finnish Spitz, modes of inheritance will not be determined for our breed, nor will DNA screening tests be developed. Research requires data and funding, which must largely come from people within the breed.

Our IRS not-for-profit status will allow a conduit by which interested individuals may be able to make deductible donations toward education and research on breed genetics issues. (Please check with your tax professional.) We hope to achieve both short term and long-term benefits. Breeders who use the information we gather will realize the short-term benefit. In the long term, all who own a Finnish Spitz will benefit from increased knowledge of breed genetics and diseases.

We offer a quarterly newsletter in conjunction with Finnish Spitz National Rescue sent via email to all those who are interested. If you wish to be on the email list for the newsletter please send an empty email to newsletter-subscribe@finnishspitzhealth.org. You will receive a confirmation email which you MUST respond to in order to be subscribed to the newsletter.

Officers and Directors

Diane Helland - President Chair, Database Management Fort Worth, TX email 817.263.1761	Jill Kapirin - Vice President Chair, Publicity & Marketing Northridge, CA email 818.882.2171	Sheila Brown- Secretary Chair, Ways and Means Billings, MT email 406.698.4663
Mary Jo Wonnacott- Treasurer Member, Research and Testing Norfolk, NE email 402.371.7421	Joan Grant - Director Liaison with Canadian Finnish Spitz Club Member, Breeder Education Golden, BC Canada email 250.344.6992	Inkeri Kangasvuo - Director Liaison with Finnish Kennel Clubs Chair, Breeder Education Ivalo,Finland email
Leslie Carlson-Elliott- Director Los Alamos, NM email 505.250.7421	Dr. Karen Swisher - Director Member, Research and Testing Edmond, OK email 405.340.7228	Dr. Paul Mason - Director Chair, Research and Testing New Zealand email
Dr. Cynthia Hynes - Director Member, Research and Testing Tehachapi, CA email	Dr. Barbara Shelton - Consulting Veterinarian	Holly Horton & Peggy Urton - Newsletter Editors Ms. Urton's email Ms. Horton's email