Canine and feline
stroke prevention
through veterinary science.
The Canine Stroke Foundation brings trusted veterinary knowledge to the families who need it most — providing open-access resources, clear information, and financial assistance for dogs and cats affected by stroke and cerebrovascular disease.
— Inspired by Finley, who meets every milestone in physical therapy with the kind of joy that makes all of this worthwhile.
Want more detail on the signs of stroke in dogs? See our caregiver resources →
One foundation. Two initiatives.
How this work is structured
The Canine Stroke Foundation is the parent organization. The Finley Initiative and The Feline Stroke Initiative are its education and outreach programs. Each serves a distinct function, but all three operate under the same mission and the same standards.
Canine Stroke Foundation
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises and distributes funds for dogs affected by stroke and neurological conditions. Our focus is financial access and organizational accountability — ensuring that cost is never the reason a family loses hope.
Financial Assistance · Grantscaninestroke.org · you are here
The Finley Initiative
An education and outreach program within the Foundation. Provides clear, evidence-based resources for caregivers navigating canine stroke recovery — bringing clinical knowledge home to the families who need it most.
Education · Resources · OutreachLearn more →
The Feline Stroke Initiative
An education and outreach program focused on feline cerebrovascular disease, operating under the same mission and standards as The Finley Initiative. Evidence-based resources for families navigating stroke and neurological conditions in cats.
Education · Resources · OutreachLearn more →
The story behind the Foundation
Meet Finley
The heart of this Foundation — at full stride.
At 13 years old, Finley survived three strokes and multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). With hypothyroidism as a predisposing condition, his recovery path was uncertain — and like too many caregivers, his family navigated that uncertainty largely without a clear roadmap.
That experience — the confusion, the isolation, the lack of clear information, and the financial weight of specialist care — is exactly what this Foundation exists to address. Finley's story is not unique. But it is the reason this work began, and his ongoing recovery is the reason it continues.
Get involved
We are actively building this organization
Early-stage involvement shapes culture, direction, and impact. We are looking for people who bring both expertise and genuine commitment to the mission.
See all open roles →How we operate
Standards, not aspirations
These are not values we are working toward. They are commitments already embedded in how this organization is structured and governed.
01 Evidence-Based Only
All resources reflect current veterinary knowledge. We do not publish speculation, trends, or claims not supported by accepted practice. As medicine evolves, so do we.
02 Financial Transparency
Every dollar is treated as entrusted, not owned. Funds are distributed on medical need and financial hardship — not social reach or personal connection.
03 No Manipulation
We do not raise funds through distortion, fear, or exaggerated claims. We share real stories accurately because trust is the only currency that lasts.
04 Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Required by bylaws. No director, officer, or advisor may benefit personally from funds. Conflicts are disclosed and recused — without exception.
Stay connected
Be part of what comes next
Whether you are a veterinary professional, a caregiver who has navigated this, or someone who wants to support this work — there is a place for you here.
See open roles & how to get involved →General inquiries
info@caninestroke.org