About Canine Health Concern
Catherine sadly passed away on the 12th November 2020 - leaving a huge legacy and one that continues with her spirit in tact and the world a better place. You can see her 'in memory/tribute' page here. That page also serves as a timeline for some of Catherine's and CHC's work since 1994.
Canine Health Concern was formed in 1994 by Catherine O'Driscoll, after two of her beautiful young Golden Retrievers - Oliver and Prudence - tragically died. She asked, 'why?', and the answers that came back were sufficiently disturbing to make her feel that independent research was necessary - free from commercial bias. Catherine was sent scientific papers which told her that commercial pet food was nutritionally inadequate, and that many deficiency diseases are the direct result of poor feeding. She also learnt that the annual shots we give to our pets each year, in the belief that we are protecting them from disease, are actually the largest cause of ill health in our pets today.
CHC advocates real food for dogs. That is, food that Mother Nature has designed, over millions of years, and which has made the species thrive for millions of years. Members of CHC who have reverted to a CHC-recommended natural diet have seen illnesses disappear and vet bills plummet. Our diet survey showed an 85 per cent drop in the number of veterinary visits once dogs were changed to real food.
Canine Health Concern was responsible for the huge popularity of the book, 'Give Your Dog a Bone' written by Australian vet Ian Billinghurst. We publicised the book widely throughout the UK and North America and brought Ian on his first seminar tour outside Australia. Today, thanks to our hard work and financial investment, the raw meaty bone diet is here to stay. Our reward is the knowledge that, around the world, thousands of dogs are now thriving.
In 1997, we published the book, 'Who Killed the Darling Buds of May?'. This seminal work brought together, for the first time, the scientific evidence to prove that vaccines are the biggest killer of companion animals today. Revised and expanded in 1998 (and subsequently reprinted second edition in 2007) under the new title of 'What Vets Don't Tell You About Vaccines', the book is now an official word-of-mouth best-seller. CHC members can be proud that their hard work contributed to the largest canine vaccine survey ever to be mounted - a survey that the veterinary establishment is still trying to ignore in order to protect vaccine income. In 2004 a follow up book, 'Shock To The System', was published to bring together all the different areas that affect health.
CHC advocates the use of alternative healthcare for pets, including the homeopathic vaccine alternative, natural flea and worm prevention, and a range of complementary therapies such as Bach Flower remedies, Chiropractic, Emotional Freedom Technique, Reiki, nutritional therapy, acupuncture, and more.
Homeopathic veterinary medicine has become increasingly popular since CHC started to promote it back in 1994, and we have led thousands of animals to the doors of homeopathic and other complementary vets.
In addition to producing a quarterly newsletter and lobbying the government and the media, CHC also has the Foundation in Canine Healthcare programme to standardise the knowledge of dog lovers around the world. Sadly, without Catherine, the course/lecture program could no longer continue. However, several aspects of the Foundation (and other courses/workshops) have been added to the above link.
But membership of CHC gives you more than this. Our advice should reduce your vet bills substantially and save you from unnecessary heartache. Putting it colourfully, if you feed real food and stop over-vaccinating . . . you'll be quids in! Most important of all, once you know all there is to know (and it's really very simple to keep a dog healthy), your continued membership supports the work and gives life to other dogs in the world.
But membership of CHC gives you more than this. Our advice should reduce your vet bills substantially and save you from unnecessary heartache. Putting it colourfully, if you feed real food and stop over-vaccinating . . . you'll be quids in! Most important of all, once you know all there is to know (and it's really very simple to keep a dog healthy), your continued membership supports the work and gives life to other dogs in the world.
In 1998, Canine Health Concern's work became the subject of a prime-time
TV documentary, 'World in Action', which has been networked around the
world. Since that time, pet food manufacturers have launched what they
describe as better quality processed food, and the British Small Animal
Veterinary Association has mounted its own research into vaccine damage -
fronted, regrettably, by the UK veterinary vaccine industry. But at
least they've heard us. Isn't it sad that we have had to work so hard
make them listen, and that most vets are still not listening?
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In 2008 CHC members funded the DVD, 'In Search of the Truth About Dogs' and received the 'Best DVD' award from the Dog Writer's Association of America. The DVD has continued to be a wonderful tool for CHC members and general public alike to spread the word and show pet owners the truth about canine health.
In order to bring all the various TV/DVD/YouTube videos and appearances together, CHCTV was created to provide a comprehensive free resource.
In 2011 the CHC Store was created to bring together a range of quality and safe, natural and ethical products, providing pet owners with the alternatives to commercial and toxic chemical based products.
Although already a worldwide concern, in 2012 CHC branched out to form the Pet Welfare Alliance, to bring together an international community of campaigners to act as a watchdog for the poorly legislated multi-billion pet products industry. It comprises of pet owners and veterinarians from around the world who join together in strength to take practical, positive action to protect the wellbeing of pets. Expanding awareness and understanding of the multi-billion international pet products industry, and the harm that is being done to pets. Raising awareness within the pet owning community to effect positive change on behalf of our pets.
Canine Health Concern continues to this day to continue to help others to provide truthful information so that dogs (or any other animal) can lead a better, longer, and more healthy life.
Years into our campaign, the veterinary profession is still vaccinating animals annually - even sick and elderly animals who should not be vaccinated. There is no scientific justification for annual vaccination. Indeed, veterinary specialists have been telling their colleagues for many years that it should be stopped. This leaves you - the animal guardian - with the imperative to gain knowledge, for it is time we stopped killing our animals in the name of love.
CHC's message is sometimes distressing - but we promise you this: take our advice on board and feed real food, and stop over-vaccinating your animals, and - providing you haven't left it too late - you and your beloved pets will be glowing with happiness. You should never have to stand over the body of your dead friend and say, "If only someone had told me".
Canine Health Concern is a non-profit organisation, but not a registered charity. All funds raised go back into the running and for the purpose of its aims.
Membership of Canine Health Concern is a declaration on your part. You are saying that you are now taking your power back, and taking responsibility for the health of your animals. Congratulations! Take a look and let your voice be heard.
CHC's message is sometimes distressing - but we promise you this: take our advice on board and feed real food, and stop over-vaccinating your animals, and - providing you haven't left it too late - you and your beloved pets will be glowing with happiness. You should never have to stand over the body of your dead friend and say, "If only someone had told me".
Canine Health Concern is a non-profit organisation, but not a registered charity. All funds raised go back into the running and for the purpose of its aims.
Membership of Canine Health Concern is a declaration on your part. You are saying that you are now taking your power back, and taking responsibility for the health of your animals. Congratulations! Take a look and let your voice be heard.