Meet Our Founder & President
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Meet Teresa Bell, Founder and President of the Boykin Spaniel Health Organization. Teresa is a trailblazer and advocate for the Boykin Spaniel breed and believes in educating owners and those who are interested in owning a Boykin Spaniel. Teresa has worked alongside many Health Professionals to understand the breed and potential health risks if not bred well. Mrs. Bell has also worked with many Boykin Spaniel owners to help provide financial support for those who have experienced emergencies or have been diagnosed with life threatening diseases with their beloved dog. Teresa knows firsthand how a life-threatening disease can affect your beloved dog.
In April of 2014 Kona (age 4), Teresa’s first Boykin Spaniel, who was a companion dog as well as a hunting retriever, sustained a significant injury that would alter the course of his life and theirs. After an injury of 5 herniated discs, it was determined that Kona was diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) (https://www.boykinhealth.org/diseases.html). For the next decade The Bell Family would work with breeders, Boykin Spaniel owners, and other Boykin Spaniel organizations to ensure knowledge and understanding of the disease was known in the bird dog world. Kona was able to live a long-deserved life with the right support and knowledge in hand. Kona was the catalyst for her to create the IVDD in the Boykin Spaniel Social media pages and boykinivdd.com website. Kona survived ten more years with regular therapy and supplements surprising everyone including his veterinarians. He passed away in February of 2024 at the age of 14.
In 2022 her beloved boykin Skye (age 8) was diagnosed with nasal chondrosarcoma. With Radiation treatment and alternative medicines and working with oncologists, their primary vet and a Chi University certified vet, she was able to live another two years but sadly succumbed to the disease in September 2024.
In 2025 her third Boykin Bailey (14 ½) succumbed to her dementia and late onset IVDD. Three losses within a year has fueled Teresa’s passion for the health of the breed. Jakey, a boykin rescue (9) and their new addition Emmylou (3 – also a boykin rescue), continue to help Teresa with that unconditional love every boykin owner has the blessings of experiencing.
Out of her unwavering dedication and support to boykins and their families and her thirst for knowledge regarding the diseases now becoming prevalent in the breed she decided to formalize her efforts of boykinivdd.com and create The Boykin Health Organization. Her endeavors hope to not only educate and support Boykin owners and potential owners but also recommend health and breeding initiatives to ensure that every boykin has the chance at a long and loving life with their families. The health challenges of her boykins has helped Teresa gain the vision of what was needed in the Boykin community for the Boykin breed and now we are happy to show you all the Boykin Health Organization has to offer. Join us here at the Boykin Spaniel Health Organization #KONASLEGACY
In April of 2014 Kona (age 4), Teresa’s first Boykin Spaniel, who was a companion dog as well as a hunting retriever, sustained a significant injury that would alter the course of his life and theirs. After an injury of 5 herniated discs, it was determined that Kona was diagnosed with IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) (https://www.boykinhealth.org/diseases.html). For the next decade The Bell Family would work with breeders, Boykin Spaniel owners, and other Boykin Spaniel organizations to ensure knowledge and understanding of the disease was known in the bird dog world. Kona was able to live a long-deserved life with the right support and knowledge in hand. Kona was the catalyst for her to create the IVDD in the Boykin Spaniel Social media pages and boykinivdd.com website. Kona survived ten more years with regular therapy and supplements surprising everyone including his veterinarians. He passed away in February of 2024 at the age of 14.
In 2022 her beloved boykin Skye (age 8) was diagnosed with nasal chondrosarcoma. With Radiation treatment and alternative medicines and working with oncologists, their primary vet and a Chi University certified vet, she was able to live another two years but sadly succumbed to the disease in September 2024.
In 2025 her third Boykin Bailey (14 ½) succumbed to her dementia and late onset IVDD. Three losses within a year has fueled Teresa’s passion for the health of the breed. Jakey, a boykin rescue (9) and their new addition Emmylou (3 – also a boykin rescue), continue to help Teresa with that unconditional love every boykin owner has the blessings of experiencing.
Out of her unwavering dedication and support to boykins and their families and her thirst for knowledge regarding the diseases now becoming prevalent in the breed she decided to formalize her efforts of boykinivdd.com and create The Boykin Health Organization. Her endeavors hope to not only educate and support Boykin owners and potential owners but also recommend health and breeding initiatives to ensure that every boykin has the chance at a long and loving life with their families. The health challenges of her boykins has helped Teresa gain the vision of what was needed in the Boykin community for the Boykin breed and now we are happy to show you all the Boykin Health Organization has to offer. Join us here at the Boykin Spaniel Health Organization #KONASLEGACY
