LeCheval is home to Chantel & Stacey Johnson, their baby daughter Celeste Dane and their animal family.  The house-hold currently includes the dogs, macaws and tropical fish.  Stacey is the Director of the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.  He is also a dog lover and has competed successfully in obedience with our dogs.  Chantel is a professional show dog handler and a self-taught artist.  She is also enjoying her new role as a mother.

In 1974 Chantel (then Pelletier) met her first Great Dane.  A harlequin bitch named Omik who was to become her best friend for nearly 11 years.  Over time the love affair for the breed continued.  Eventually Chantel began handling Danes for other people as well as branching out into different breeds.

In the 1980s Linda & David Slezak of Quaker Hill Great Danes in Connecticut hired Chantel to become their full-time kennel manager and exclusive handler.  During this time a friendship blossomed and Chantel & the Slezaks’ worked together beautifully for several years.  Chantel & Linda went on to co-own and co-breed some lovely Danes.  Chantel eventually moved from Quaker Hill to becoming a zookeeper.

In 1996 Chantel met Stacey Johnson while they were both working at a zoo in Florida.  The two were married in 1998.  Shortly after they were married the couple moved to Texas.  Stacey was a zoo curator there and Chantel continued zookeeping.  She was also successfully handling several show dogs while living in Texas. 

Chantel and Stacey and their animals moved to Topton, Pennsylvania in January 2007.  Their daughter was born in March of that year.  This web site is mainly offered to highlight our dogs, Chantel’s artwork and show dog handling and to introduce you to our family.  We hope you enjoy your visit with us.