Gregory Popovich

Gregory Popovich, a native of Kiev, Ukraine, is an alumnus of the Great Moscow Circus and the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a trained clown, and a world record-setting juggler. A professional circus performer since age 12, he personally trains the dogs and cats (all rescued from animal shelters) that form the core cast of Comedy Pet Theater. The show is an award-winning, family oriented act that features stunning animal tricks, Gregory's unique comedy and juggling, and performances by European-style clowns and balancing acts. Comedy Pet Theater has performed in 25 countries and been featured on television's The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Animal Planet, and America's Got Talent. Comedy Pet Theater also has been featured in People magazine, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, and the New Yorker. "Comedy Pet Theater is like a Cirque show with animals," USA Today said. Popovich lives in Las Vegas with his wife, Izolda, and their daughter, Anastasia, who also perform in the show. The Popoviches' extended household includes more than 50 furry or feathered members - dogs, cats, ferrets, white mice, geese, doves, and a parrot. Since he grew up with dogs and cats as his closest playmates backstage while his parents performed in the world famous Moscow Circus, Gregory Popovich has also authored two books. DOGGY GONE GOOD - available at Comedy Pet Theater shows, as well as in physical or e-book form by ordering from www.comedypet.com - offers thorough advice: everything from choosing the right dog to acclimating the dog to your home, children and other pets; feeding it the right nutrition; keeping it healthy, happy and safe; breaking it of bad habits; communicating clearly to it and interpreting its language; traveling with it; and teaching it simple - and advanced - tricks, if desired. YOU CAN TRAIN YOUR CAT: Secrets of a Master Cat Trainer, published in 2009 by St. Martin's Griffin (ISBN 978-0-312-56528-2). The book is available from major retailers, and teaches readers how to correct even the most fickle feline's nasty habits - everything from bad litter-box habits to jumping on tabletops and counter-tops, clawing upholstery and curtains, begging for food, and more. The book even shows how to train your cat to perform tricks such as jumping through a hoop or perching on its owner's shoulder.