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New York, NY – The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.SM is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond. Each year, the AKC Humane Fund awards five full-time students enrolled in courses of study that contribute to the well-being of dogs and the advancement of responsible pet ownership.
The scholarship is named in honor of Sir John D. Spurling, founder of PetPartners, Inc. which provides comprehensive and affordable pet health insurance to pet owners throughout the United States.
“The commitment these students demonstrate to animal well-being, academic excellence and service is remarkable,” said Brandi H. Munden, President of the AKC Humane Fund. “We are proud to support their continued education as they work to make a meaningful impact for animals.”
The AKC Humane Fund awards $2,500 to each of the five scholarship recipients, payable as tuition assistance to accredited institutions in which each student is enrolled in courses of study focusing on the care of pets.
The 2026 AKC Humane Fund Spurling Scholarship recipients are:
Ava Belcastro
Virginia Tech University
Zoe Gayle Louise Brewer
Florida Southern College
Andrea Megan Woehr
Mississippi State University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Tiffany Chang
Purdue University-College of Veterinary Medicine
Savannah Ann Kendall
Louisiana State University-School of Veterinary Medicine
For more information about AKC Humane Fund grants and programming, click here.
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Founded in 2008, the AKC Humane Fund℠ is dedicated to promoting responsible dog ownership through education, outreach, and strategic grant-making. Through its programs, the AKC Humane Fund provides critical support to rescue efforts, assists domestic violence shelters to allow pets to remain with their families, and delivers meaningful resources that help strengthen the bond between dogs and the people who love them. Contributions to the AKC Humane Fund are fully tax deductible to the extent permitted by law under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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