Penny Steffen graduated from Fairview College’s Animal Health Technology Program in 1996 and is working at the Mighty Peace Veterinary Clinic as an Animal Health Technologist.

Penny has been on the SPCA board of directors for three years and is now serving her second year as President. She is also involved with several other community organizations and is a junior curling coach.

Penny lives on an acreage with her three dogs, one cat and two horses. She enjoys horse back riding, curling, golfing, volleyball and volunteering.

David Jackson, Vice President

This is Dave's second year on the Peace Regional SPCA board, his first as Vice President. Dave is a pet parent to a now 8 year old Golden Retriever/ Border Collie cross named Simon. He is passionate and enthusiastic about continuing to develop the Peace Regional SPCA’s future here in Peace River.

Sheila Girard, Treasurer

Sheila grew up on a mixed farm near Grimshaw. She graduated in 1987 from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Since then Sheila has worked in accounting and as an instructor for Fairview College/NAIT, as the office manager for Western Canadian Mulching, and is currently the Accounting and Payroll Administrator at Advanced Paramedic Ltd. in Peace River.

This is Sheila’s first year on the board of the SPCA and she’s looking forward to working with the others to benefit the state of animals in the Peace Region.

Sheila and her son Thomas live on an acreage near Grimshaw (on the home farm) with frequent visits from her daughter, Chelsea. They all enjoy the exploits of two cats and their recent SPCA adoption, the rambunctious Harley dog! Animals have always been a part of Sheila’s life…

Hilary Moss

Hilary has been involved on the board of the Peace Regional SPCA for the last 6 years. Prior to joining the board, Hilary volunteered her time walking dogs and assisting with fundraisers.  Hilary's family had cats growing up that were adopted from the local animal shelter and she have kept up tradition by adopting her canine companions through the SPCA or animal rescue organizations.

Hilary's canine family currently consists of two boxers – Clancy and Olivia, and a boxer-sneaky neighbour dog cross – Parker!

Tara Guglich DVM

Dr. Tara Guglich graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992.

In 1996 Dr. Tara opened the Mighty Peace Veterinary Clinic in Grimshaw after having worked in Peace River and Fairview. When she opened her practice she began a working relationship with the Peace River SPCA and became a board member.

Dr. Tara plays a very active role in the organization as she is our animal health liason and provides weekly shelter visits to oversee animal care.

Tara, her husband and two children enjoy spending time with their dogs, cats and horses on their acreage outside of Grimshaw.

Maureen Thiessen

Maureen was born and raised a city girl from Calgary who was constantly showing up with no shoes, torn dresses, dirty hands and found critters. While working at a transportation terminal, she met and married a co-worker who like her, had farm dreams to follow. Heading north, they settled in Chinook Valley.

Plans for a cattle herd soon changed the day Maureen brought home a newborn lamb. Now in the sheep business Maureen and her husband added guard dogs and donkeys to the farm. Yak roamed over their hills for 14 years followed by a slower, polled mixed beef herd.

Throughout this time Maureen and her husband of adopted a border collie – her best friend in the flock. She thanks whoever dropped him off at the farm! 4 dogs, 3 cats labeled unwanted or unadoptable were added. 3 bunnies needing freedom of the hay yard, a llama with social misdemeanors and a Highland cow too old for production all live or have lived out their lives at the farm.

Maureen was involved with the Berwyn 4-H “Knee Deep in Sheep” group. It was very rewarding to work with the shepherds and great to know one young man still raises and loves his now sizeable flock.

For several years Maureen volunteered for the PRSPCA before joining the Board. Today she is happy to help out when needed at the shelter and look forward to the challenges provided by our ever expanding guest list at the shelter.

Robin Barnes

Robin and her family moved to Peace River 21 years ago thinking they would be here for 5 years but they loved Peace River and have raised both children here. 

Robin grew up on a farm in northern Alberta and had horses, dogs, a few farm cats, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese, and even a few guinea pigs too! She can only remember one year of my life that she did not have a dog! Currently Robin owns a 10 year old Beagle, Penny, and 3 year old Germans Short-haired Pointer, Chloe.

Robin works for Alberta Sustainable Resource Development as a Geographic Information Systems Technologist.

Robin is an outdoors enthusiast and her most recent "rescue" dog Chloe now has her working on getting her hunter training and hunting licence so that she can "help" her with her grouse and pheasant hunting. Robin's main hobbies include daily hikes with her dogs, swimming, wallyball, yoga, travel and camping. This is Robin's first year on the board of the SPCA, although she have volunteered in various capacities for many years.  Robin is looking forward to working with the PRSPCA Board Of Directors, staff and other volunteers on further enhancing education and the welfare of animals in the Peace Region.