The International English Springer Spaniel Award of Merit in 2005 to Dr. Cynthia A. Wheeler, DVM, MSc, USA Honorary Health Consultant

Dr. Cynthia Wheeler is a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, practicing privately in Michigan, USA. She obtained a DVM degree at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 and a Masters in Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Colorado State University in 1983. She was appointed Assistant Professor at the University of Missouri- Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine 1983-1986 and at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine 1986-1992 in Veterinary Ophthalmology. In 1985 she obtained Diplomat status in the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Her interest in the breed has included research into the nature of retinal dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy in the English Springer Spaniel. She was actively involved in early studies at Michigan State and Colorado State Universities, which defined the nature and inheritance of retinal dysplasia in the breed. Most recently she has been involved with genetic studies defining the heritability of PRA in the English Springer Spaniel with research at the James Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University and looking to participate in studies being sponsored by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Dr. Wheeler has been an active breeder and exhibitor of English Springer Spaniels under the prefix "Mystic" since 1972.