Collaboration strengthens our ability to serve the Boykin Spaniel community.
The Boykin Spaniel Health Organization is grateful for the relationships we have developed with veterinary professionals, researchers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and others who share our commitment to improving the health and well-being of Boykin Spaniels.
These relationships support our work in research, education, owner support, and community outreach while helping connect Boykin families with trusted information and valuable resources.
The Boykin Spaniel Health Organization is grateful for the relationships we have developed with veterinary professionals, researchers, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and others who share our commitment to improving the health and well-being of Boykin Spaniels.
These relationships support our work in research, education, owner support, and community outreach while helping connect Boykin families with trusted information and valuable resources.
Partnerships
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Orivet Genetic Pet Care
BSHO is proud to partner with Orivet Genetic Pet Care to help expand access to comprehensive DNA testing and genetic health information for Boykin Spaniels.
Orivet offers a Boykin Spaniel Full Breed Profile that screens for multiple genetic health conditions relevant to the breed. BSHO encourages Boykin owners and breeders to consider comprehensive DNA testing as an important tool for understanding potential inherited health risks and making informed health and breeding decisions.
Through our partnership with Orivet, BSHO also works to obtain updated breed-specific genetic data that can help us better understand the prevalence of inherited health risks within the Boykin Spaniel population.
BSHO is proud to partner with Orivet Genetic Pet Care to help expand access to comprehensive DNA testing and genetic health information for Boykin Spaniels.
Orivet offers a Boykin Spaniel Full Breed Profile that screens for multiple genetic health conditions relevant to the breed. BSHO encourages Boykin owners and breeders to consider comprehensive DNA testing as an important tool for understanding potential inherited health risks and making informed health and breeding decisions.
Through our partnership with Orivet, BSHO also works to obtain updated breed-specific genetic data that can help us better understand the prevalence of inherited health risks within the Boykin Spaniel population.
Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL)
The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory has been an important genetic testing resource for BSHO and the Boykin Spaniel community. Through our relationship with VGL, a Boykin Spaniel-specific genetic testing panel was developed to make it easier for owners and breeders to access relevant DNA testing for the breed.
BSHO has also worked closely with Dr. Liza C. Gershony, Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, who has provided valuable assistance, education, and support as we work to increase awareness of comprehensive genetic testing in Boykin Spaniels.
BSHO encourages comprehensive DNA testing as a tool to help owners understand potential inherited health risks and to help breeders make informed decisions that support the long-term health of the breed.
The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory has been an important genetic testing resource for BSHO and the Boykin Spaniel community. Through our relationship with VGL, a Boykin Spaniel-specific genetic testing panel was developed to make it easier for owners and breeders to access relevant DNA testing for the breed.
BSHO has also worked closely with Dr. Liza C. Gershony, Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, who has provided valuable assistance, education, and support as we work to increase awareness of comprehensive genetic testing in Boykin Spaniels.
BSHO encourages comprehensive DNA testing as a tool to help owners understand potential inherited health risks and to help breeders make informed decisions that support the long-term health of the breed.
Specialty Care & Veterinary Affiliations
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CVETS – Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty CVETS provides emergency and specialty veterinary care in Columbia, South Carolina, including advanced neurology and neurosurgical services. BSHO has developed a valued relationship with the CVETS team through our work supporting Boykin Spaniels and their families facing serious neurological and emergency medical conditions. CVETS also joined us at the 2026 Wiggle Butts: A Boykin Palooza, helping provide Boykin owners with access to veterinary education and specialty-care resources.
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Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG)Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) provides emergency veterinary care with a unique approach designed to keep pet owners involved and alongside their pets throughout the emergency care experience.
VEG joined BSHO at the 2026 Wiggle Butts: A Boykin Palooza, helping educate Boykin Spaniel owners about emergency preparedness, what to expect during a veterinary emergency, and the importance of knowing where to turn when urgent care is needed. |
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Southeast Veterinary Neurology (SEVN)
Southeast Veterinary Neurology is a specialty veterinary practice dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions in dogs and cats, including spinal disorders such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). BSHO has valued its relationship with Southeast Veterinary Neurology as part of our ongoing efforts to provide Boykin Spaniel owners with reliable education and resources surrounding neurological disease. Their expertise in veterinary neurology and neurosurgery aligns closely with BSHO’s mission to improve awareness, early recognition, and access to appropriate specialty care for Boykins affected by neurological conditions. |
Research Collaborations
Natasha Olby, Vet MB, PhD, MRCVS, DACVIM (Neurology)Dr. Natasha Olby is a Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at North Carolina State University and holds the Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair in Gerontology.
She earned her veterinary degree from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and later completed a PhD focused on spinal cord injury. She subsequently completed her neurology and neurosurgery residency at NC State, where she has remained as a faculty member.
Dr. Olby is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Neurology specialty and has extensive research experience in spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disease, aging, and other neurological conditions.
Dr. Olby also works directly with BSHO on health issues affecting Boykin Spaniels. She is leading the NC State research effort investigating the genetics of paroxysmal dyskinesia in Boykin Spaniels, with BSHO supporting participant recruitment, sample collection, owner coordination, and funding for the research.
Her expertise in veterinary neurology and canine spinal disease has been an invaluable resource as BSHO works to advance research and provide Boykin owners with reliable, science-based health information.
(Full Bio here: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/people/njolby/)
She earned her veterinary degree from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and later completed a PhD focused on spinal cord injury. She subsequently completed her neurology and neurosurgery residency at NC State, where she has remained as a faculty member.
Dr. Olby is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Neurology specialty and has extensive research experience in spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative disease, aging, and other neurological conditions.
Dr. Olby also works directly with BSHO on health issues affecting Boykin Spaniels. She is leading the NC State research effort investigating the genetics of paroxysmal dyskinesia in Boykin Spaniels, with BSHO supporting participant recruitment, sample collection, owner coordination, and funding for the research.
Her expertise in veterinary neurology and canine spinal disease has been an invaluable resource as BSHO works to advance research and provide Boykin owners with reliable, science-based health information.
(Full Bio here: https://cvm.ncsu.edu/people/njolby/)
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UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine
UC Davis has been an important research and veterinary genetics connection for the Boykin Spaniel Health Organization since our early efforts to better understand health conditions affecting Boykin Spaniels.
BSHO has worked with and sought guidance from several UC Davis veterinary researchers and specialists, including Dr. Danika Bannasch, Dr. Rebecca Bellone, Dr. Peter J. Dickinson, and Dr. Denis J. Marcellin-Little, in areas including canine genetics, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD/CDDY), neurological disease, and incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC).
Our ongoing work with Dr. Danika Bannasch includes sharing BSHO’s long-term Boykin IVDD data and information about affected and unaffected dogs, DNA testing, and documented disc herniations to explore opportunities for further research into IVDD and CDDY within the breed.
BSHO’s work with Dr. Denis J. Marcellin-Little has focused on IOHC in Boykin Spaniels, including sharing documented cases and exploring opportunities to better understand the condition and its potential underlying factors within the breed.
These relationships with UC Davis researchers and the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory have helped strengthen BSHO’s efforts to connect owner-reported health information with veterinary science, improve health education, and identify opportunities for future research into conditions affecting Boykin Spaniels.
Learn More:
UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine
UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory
The AKC Canine Health Foundation (CHF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the health of dogs through scientific research and the sharing of health information.
BSHO has developed a relationship with the AKC Canine Health Foundation as we work to expand research into health conditions affecting Boykin Spaniels. CHF also participated in our 2026 Wiggle Butts: A Boykin Palooza, providing Boykin owners with information about canine health research and the important role owners and breed communities can play in advancing veterinary science.
As BSHO continues to identify and support research opportunities involving Boykin Spaniels, we look forward to working with the AKC Canine Health Foundation and exploring future opportunities to help support research that may benefit our breed and dogs everywhere.
AKC Canine Health Foundation
BSHO has developed a relationship with the AKC Canine Health Foundation as we work to expand research into health conditions affecting Boykin Spaniels. CHF also participated in our 2026 Wiggle Butts: A Boykin Palooza, providing Boykin owners with information about canine health research and the important role owners and breed communities can play in advancing veterinary science.
As BSHO continues to identify and support research opportunities involving Boykin Spaniels, we look forward to working with the AKC Canine Health Foundation and exploring future opportunities to help support research that may benefit our breed and dogs everywhere.
AKC Canine Health Foundation
Veterinary Advisors
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Michael R Matthews, DVM
BS with honors Auburn 1982 DVM with high honors 1986 Private practice for 35 years prior to retirement Advanced training /Special interests Orthopedics/Surgery Have owned/raised Boykins and Springers since 1972 |
Affiliations
Dodgerslist has been an important educational resource and valued affiliation for BSHO since our earliest work surrounding intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Founded by Linda Stowe following her own experience with a Dachshund affected by IVDD, Dodgerslist has spent decades helping families understand IVDD, treatment, recovery, and life after a spinal injury. Although its roots are in the Dachshund community, its extensive IVDD resources have helped dog owners across many breeds.
Linda and Dodgerslist were instrumental in helping BSHO develop educational content for our Boykin IVDD website and social media community, generously sharing knowledge and resources that helped us provide Boykin families with practical, understandable information during what can be an overwhelming diagnosis.
That relationship continues today. BSHO President Teresa Bell has joined a developing group of advisors working with Dodgerslist, creating another opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen IVDD education and support across breed communities.
We are grateful for Linda's longstanding commitment to IVDD education and for the support Dodgerslist has provided to BSHO and Boykin Spaniel families.
Learn More: Dodgerslist
Founded by Linda Stowe following her own experience with a Dachshund affected by IVDD, Dodgerslist has spent decades helping families understand IVDD, treatment, recovery, and life after a spinal injury. Although its roots are in the Dachshund community, its extensive IVDD resources have helped dog owners across many breeds.
Linda and Dodgerslist were instrumental in helping BSHO develop educational content for our Boykin IVDD website and social media community, generously sharing knowledge and resources that helped us provide Boykin families with practical, understandable information during what can be an overwhelming diagnosis.
That relationship continues today. BSHO President Teresa Bell has joined a developing group of advisors working with Dodgerslist, creating another opportunity to share knowledge and strengthen IVDD education and support across breed communities.
We are grateful for Linda's longstanding commitment to IVDD education and for the support Dodgerslist has provided to BSHO and Boykin Spaniel families.
Learn More: Dodgerslist
