Purdue veterinary student receives Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship awarded by AKC Humane Fund

portrait of a woman who is wearing a white button-up shirt and who has long, dark hair

The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.^SM has announced the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond, and one of the recipients is Purdue veterinary student Tiffany Chang of the Class of 2027. Chang is one of only five students chosen for the scholarships.

Each year, the AKC Humane Fund awards the scholarships to 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 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 scholarship is named in honor of Sir John D. Spurling, founder of PetPartners, Inc., which provides pet health insurance to pet owners throughout the United States. 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 other 2026 AKC Humane Fund Spurling Scholarship recipients are students enrolled at Virginia Tech, Florida Southern College, the Mississippi State University-College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Louisiana State University-School of Veterinary Medicine.

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 important 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.

More information about the AKC Humane Fund is available here.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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