Fall 2017  Saber Tails 47    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

the treadmill each day.  Shelley is hoping that, with a bit more maturity, he can become a 

therapy dog.  Shelley’s experience in canine health stems from taking care of her own dogs’ 

serious health issues.  Flora Kate had Cushing's disease and Annie was a 5-year hemangio-

sarcoma survivor.  Shelley became an expert on those diseases and had them treated using 

both holistic and traditional veterinary medicine.  She feels that the combination of modal-

ities prolonged their lives considerably.  Shelley has applied her reading and learning on 

canine health by serving as a resource for other dog owners who are battling these issues, 

especially hemangiosarcoma.  Shelley works as a set decorator in the TV and film business 

(currently working on the TV series The Blacklist).  She has plans to use her strong design 

background in the creation of information and brochures for the Health Committee.

Peggy Evanich was raised on a dairy farm with Holsteins, 

Beagles, a St. Bernard, Blue Tick Coonhounds, and many 

cats.  She wanted to become a vet after observing the many 

deliveries, surgeries, tests, and vaccinations; however, girls 

didn't do that back then, so her brother became the vet.  

Instead, Peggy earned an aerospace engineering degree 

and masters in mechanical engineering.  So much for gender stereotypes!  Peggy was 

an experimental engineer, and then a technology, research and development specialist.  

She worked for NASA for 27 years, University of Florida for 11 years, and 2 years in the 

aerospace industry. 

In 2009, Peggy acquired her first PBGV, a rescue from Georgia that had been abandoned 

alongside a road.  Bobby came with horrible skin allergies and a heart murmur.  She 

defeated the allergies and treated the heart condition.  Recently, he got pancreatitis, 

a severe salivary gland infection and inflammation, and arthritis.  In 2010, Bobby was 

joined by Sunny, a 1-year old PBGV from Charlen Kennels.  She was very healthy for sev-

eral years until diagnosed with Atypical Cushing’s Disease and thyroid deficiency.  Both 

are lifelong conditions and receive continuing medications.  Peggy has combined holistic treatments with the best tra-

ditional treatments with fewest side effects.  Sunny takes natural supplements to control her type of Cushing’s whereas 

Bobby has received acupuncture, water therapy, cold laser, and massage. 

Peggy is committed to learning as much as she can about PBGV health issues.  Her 

medical knowledge base has been unfortunately expanded by her own health is-

sues, including multiple surgeries (spine, foot, rotator cuff, and elbow), knee replace-

ment, gall bladder removal, hernia repair, thyroid cancer, celiac disease, fibromyal-

gia, and polymyalgia rheumatica.  She conquered the latter two with diet rather than 

‘conventional medicine.’  Peggy has assisted the Health Committee by writing fund-

raising ads for Saber Tails, designing a fundraising brochure, and writing a whimsical 

article for Saber Tails on her first experiences with the breed.  She looks forward to 

helping with new health initiatives for the improved future health of our breed.

Patricia (Pat) Koprovic has grown up her entire life with dogs and various animals.  

Pat has spent the last 32 years living in the county.  With her husband Bill, they pur-

chased a home on 17 acres.  Along with son Cody and daughter Kelly, they began 

building their dream horse farm where they raised and showed Registered Paint 

horses.  Today, the kids are now grown with families of their own.  While no longer 

showing horses, she continues her love of them with an active boarding facility.  Pat 

has spent the last 17 years as owner/operator of Country Critters Dog Grooming Sa-

lon.  Pat saw her first PBGV in 1994 at a local AKC event where she was showing her 

wolfhound.  After meeting this strange looking little dog, she quickly became smit-

Sheley Barclay with Homer

Peggy Evanich and Bobby

Pat Koprovic of Westwinds PBGVs