Over the years of being in the animal industry I have found myself drifting. This drift is likely very personal but it still has a direct impact on my work, Kind Animal Services. If you have been following KAS for any amount of time you are probably frustrated with how frequently I change services, descriptions, update the website, and inconsistently publish content.  Kelsie, KAS trainer, walking Krash, foster dog in training, on a city street doing reactivity training. My ambition knows no limit to how much I want to accomplish and what KAS might look like from one time to the next. This means I have attempted many different modes of business, always trying to strike a balance between my heart and my logic. It’s my heart that teaches, it wants to spread awareness of just how sensitive and capable animals are. That successful behavior change doesn’t come from the tools you use but from your ability to communicate and open up to animals and nature as a whole.  Then there is the logical business side of my being, she screams “More marketing! Get that article written, that video edited, post that photo.” I can’t ignore the fact that I, like everyone else, is trying to make enough money to buy groceries, pay for farrier appointments, and veterinary visits for the animals in my care, including my foster dogs.  The reality is I’m not an assertive male figure that shoves my ideas and services down vulnerable throats. If only I could just speak with that unwavering sureness that what I know can’t be challenged and is undoubtedly the absolute truth. But I’m painfully aware of the negative impact such an absolute mentality has. I by no means represent any kind of perfect knowledge and I see the gaps in the veil of my understanding of animals, learning, and behavior change.  AI image. Serious male dog trainer working with a large dog showing appeasement signs. This, I believe, is my power. This gentle personality trait that I am not the sole holder of all there is to know about training animals gives me flexibility and allows me to remain whole. I mention this because I hope that you too can see this and make informed decisions about the professionals you trust with your animals. My dream is to educate the humans that want to listen, how to get positive behavior change. KAS has finally found its niche, simplified its services, and offers more value than most other trainers out there. Our purpose is simple, to educate. The means in how we do that is through 3 main services: Workshop Sessions ($275) are in person single untimed consultation and training sessions typically held in the dogs home. This unlimited and open type of session allows plenty of time for assessments, physical training exercises and set ups, planning, and recommendations. This is my most popular service that clients book on an as needed basis. Six Week Course ($720) is six 45 min once a week lessons. This service breaks down the training plan into digestible chunks with weekly homework for the guardian. Each lesson builds upon the previous week.  Tutoring/Field Trips ($120) is as it sounds tutoring or training for the dog only. This lesson is just for the dog to learn from the trainer/teacher. It’s a 2 hour session that often involves picking up the dog and taking them to a specific environment to continue their education and socialization. Pet guardians don't have to be home or present during these sessions. While these services are my bread and butter I also offer board and train options, camps, weekend workshops, group classes, talks, and most importantly virtual consultations. Don’t forget about the virtual consultations! These are a valuable little nugget that can offer those who travel or are too far away for an immediate in person session receive the information and resources they need. I am very proud of my service line up and my ability to build customized behavior programs that offer my clients the success they are seeking without compromising the animals welfare. But it’s not enough. More often than not I offer free resources to people that call, I demonstrate skills and techniques to any one I pass on the street. I don’t want my services to be limited only to those that can afford it. Turning down dogs I know I could help is like ripping my heart out, examining it, then putting it back in. It hurts.  There are limits to the quality of my work if I were to take on every single case that came my way as well.  I have come up with a new idea I hope will allow me to help more animals and more animal guardians. While there is some luck involved in this new process if it becomes a successful idea I will be doing this 4 times a year, once a quarter. While 4 dogs isn’t a lot it’s a lot of work for me! That’s 3 months of free training, any combination of the services above for free over 3 months at no cost to the guardian. This means keeping dogs in their homes but taking them on as I do with my foster dog program. I plan to offer my everything.  In order to support this offering and such intense training and continue to make a living we have to come to a compromise. I am going to be doing a raffle giveaway process. $5 per entry. If you are the winner you can nominate any dog you feel like if you don’t have a dog personally you want to work with. This is a life changing opportunity for some lucky dogs out there.  Look, I’m putting a lot on the line to give my whole heart and soul to helping dogs thrive. I’m asking only a little from my followers and supporters. Asking that you enter but even more impactful would be if you would share this with your personal network. I want to reach as many people as possible and the wider I cast my net the more likely I will be able to continue to offer this unique and life changing opportunity to more dogs.  Kelsie, KAS dog trainer, holding a spaniel puppy during a puppy socialization/tutoring session.

Krash came to us from a local shelter. We fostered her through their program for a while but after it seemed clear that Krash (then named Lilac through the shelter) wasn't being marketed well and we were not getting much support as a foster family, Kind Animal Services decided we would bring her into our own program. This way we could invest in furthering her education, improve her diet, and ultimately control potential adopters. Krash, was officially transferred into the KAS Career Pathway program, sponsored by your donations. Meet Krash: She is bound to Krash right into your heart with her bright intelligent eyes and huge curious bat ears that tip from side to side as she works hard to understand the world around her. She is a fiercely loyal dog with a splash of whimsical daydream character. I can hear Krash pray every night to simply be accepted for who she is today, not who you think she ”should” be. Krash enjoys the simple life away from the hustle and bustle of everyone and their dog. She is looking for a human partner who chooses a more solitary lifestyle in the outdoors. She would gladly be your camping, backpacking, lake dipping, horseback riding, or hiking companion. Krash is an outdoor nature enthusiast and seeks a family with the same lust for adventure as she. While she does enjoy bounding after fluttery creatures like butterflies and birds she always keeps a watchful eye, ear, and nose on her trusted human. With, Kelsie, and Kind Animal Services Krash has taken playing an extreme version of hide and seek in the woods. Krash has proved to have a strong tracking ability. Being able to hone in on Kelsie’s location and find her hidden in the forest. If Krash was to take up a career, instead of the life of adventure, she aspires to be a detection or tracking dog. Krash has taken a nosework intro class and has been loosely studying to be a shed hunter. A skill that could easily be honed if someone wished to hire her for that kind of thing. At KAS we loving call her "Detective Krash" because she is always got her nose on the trail of a mystery I'm sure she will solve some day. With other dogs, Krash is dog friendly but she isn’t every dog’s cup of tea. She has a boxer play style: meaning she swings her massive paws at her playmates with her heavy weight behind each swing. Small and old dogs often find Krash very intimidating, rude, and annoying at best. Krash is not interested in networking or having superficial relationships with other dogs she meets, so dog parks and greetings on the street are out of the question. Due to missing out on her critical socialization period Krash is under socially developed and anxious of new dogs until she gets to know them. Krash would be thrilled to adopt a sibling that she can build a strong bond with. Her best friends are typically large sporting dogs like labradors. So if you are considering a friend for your middle aged or young large breed dog, Krash would appreciate your consideration. She has suggested when interviewed about her past she likely spent a lot of her puppyhood sheltered and crated. We also suspect she was in a home or cared for by someone who smoked cigarettes, this has not been proven but we have seen height and stress when around people who smoke or in a car with the smell of cigarettes. She was abandoned at the shelter's door so her history before being placed in the system is mostly unknown aside from what we can observe. The shelter spayed her, standard procedure, and this surgery early in life could also be contributing to her poor stress resilience along with her past neglect and inexperience. She is friendly with all people but occasionally finds novel figures spooky. She is considered a reactive. This is a fear based reaction mostly seen when she sees a dog she doesn’t know, occasionally a person, and she is restrained (on leash or behind a fence). The behavior can be a startling display of barking, lunging (bluff charging), and piloerection (hair that stands up). With that said, when she gets ample time in a safe and controlled space to investigate the environment or beings she stops. Krash might do okay with mature and dog-savvy children but if she could choose her ideal home, she doesn’t feel drawn to that lifestyle. She is curious but inexperienced with children and would require a patient adult presence to advocate for her and give her breaks when she gets overwhelmed. Krash is intelligent but her ability to learn is strongly tied to trust in her teacher and need for safety. It is extremely important that Krash is not “corrected” or reprimanded for her reactions (big displays of emotions) no matter how aggressive they might seem to spectators. Creating safety and having patience is critical to Krash’s ability to overcome her fear and trauma, it’s non-negotiable. Krash is a unique dog in her response to being scolded. When she feels pressure and becomes stressed she will double down on the behavior or sink deeper into the panic. She becomes numb to the punishment and what was just a fear reaction and display of emotion can quickly escalate. Krash needs a human who can be her rock — Calm, patient, and shielding — to lead her through the fog of fear/instinct/panic to the shore of thinking & learning. Krash is a genuinely open and gentle soul who is looking for a human (and a dog companion) that can be her safe space now and forever. She is seeking a warm and open hearted home and in return she will blossom into a beautifully willing dog partner and loyal companion. Krash wants more than anything in the world to be accepted and loved unconditionally by a human who can see the magical spirit she embodies. Truly she will crash into your heart and home with grace, light, and loyalty. Is your heart open and braced for the Krash? If you are interested in adopting Krash please reach out to us and we would be happy to assist in the next steps of the process. Krash has been in rescue since 5/3/2024 and at about a year and a half now she really needs a forever family to bond with.

Over the last 10 years of being in the pet industry and studying dog behavior. I hear an echoing statement from clients that haunts me. The story goes like this: These are often clients over 50 in their 60s, 70s, and 80s. They come to me with young typically poodle mixes (not all but many). They are struggling with training these young rambunctious companions something they have never experienced before. These are experienced dog owners and have been raising and living with dogs most their life. They grew up with dogs, they had a dog in their early adulthood, raised a dog along side their children... but now they can't seem to understand why they are not able to get control of this newest member of the family. The behavior issues these clients are facing very from excessive and uncontrollable barking, reactivity to other dogs, tire chasing, aggressive or startling reactions to strangers or children. I have a tendency to flip back and forth in my head on the topic. Maybe we should just revert to old ways, would I have more success in helping these people if I utilized more direct and harsh methods? I spend hours researching, watching videos, and trying to understand the effectiveness and ineffectiveness of old-school "broom training" or "newspaper training" methods vs. the more gentle positive reinforcement approach of training dogs. In the next breath I see the fear and stress in the dogs eyes, the frustration and anger in the human, and the eventual relapse of the unwanted behavior. I can't look past all the material and knowledge we have about learning to date, the quality of the dog-human relationship, and what we know about instinct and unconscious mechanisms at play inside every life force (genetics, hormones, blood chemistry, gut health, and more.) Yet, there is still mounting complaints from my elders that their dog owning experience has changed. What has changed? I am going to attempt to describe my outlook on the matter and various elements that may be impacting our modern pet owning experience. Breeding There are some incredible projects out there like the Functional Breeding project that I think are on to one piece of the puzzle. I have been seeing a huge push for these "designer dogs" and specifically doodles. Among my colleagues it's pretty clear that we all antidotally are experiencing a decline in these dog's health, physically and behaviorally. Personally, doodles are some of the most socially frantic and stressed out dogs I work with. Of course this does not apply to all doodles, I know a few stable and calm doodles, but those are often working service dogs, selected for their collected personality and work ability. Again this entire article is based on my opinion and antidotal experience. I am in no way saying this is the sole cause of the issues we are seeing but a potential player in the game. We are not selecting and breeding dogs with the whole dog in mind. We are near-sided for non-shedding "friendly" dogs and anyone can breed them by crossing favorite breeds with poodles. Change of Human Lifestyle Next up, we can't blame everything on the dog. Our issue could be that our lifestyles are changing rapidly, exponentially in fact. In just one life time we now have access to technology that was the product of science fiction in the past. Even old dogs, I mean humans, can learn new tricks and have been! We live in smaller and more crowded spaces, we spend more time on screens and stationary, and we are addicted to immediate results and high production. Our dogs (like us) are biological animals that move at biological speed. After years of evolving together humans have, it appears, diverged from our shared evolution dramatically! Where dog's lives are changing they are not in the drivers seat but being dragged along. They just can't evolutionally keep up. Dogs have been our companions and assistants. Used for caring our burdens, protecting our families, hunting, food production, and transportation. Today they live much less eventful lives, get far less life experiences, and don't really serve the needed purpose of the past. Even when we didn't need them they were still granted much freedom and experiences because we spent more time outside, so did they. Dogs and children everywhere are not getting the same amount of exposure to nature as those just 60 years ago. Our lifestyles have changed and I think it's having a massive effect on the behavioral health of our dogs. Because of this, I think that more people should abandon dog ownership and realize that our canine companions are just not needed and don't thrive in this new world we are moving to. My heart sinks at the thought of all those abandoned dogs, and potentially the dog breeds that will likely go extinct if we were to abandon dogs on our evolutionary road. Please know I'm not saying we should give up on dogs currently in our lives or that no one should own dogs. I'm thinking on a much larger scale, in the decades to follow, I think dogs should only be owned by a few dedicated dog enthusiasts (those who train and compete), working farms, hunters, police and military and service dog organizations placing dogs wisely with people who can benefit from their service. I think we should take a hard look at our selves and our lifestyle. No longer accept "Just because I want a dog" as a reason for bringing a dog into our home. Change in Prospective With technology, education, and the spread of ideas we have more research and understanding about brain function, behavior, and biology. Science and personal experiences with dogs as companions has changed our prospective. Now that our life no longer depends on the dog to do his job we have started becoming aware of the dog's experience. We are opening our eyes to how they feel, their emotions, comfort, and well-being. They are our companions and family members after all, they deserve a life of comfort. Dogs no longer hold the space of a tool or farm equipment, they are our friends. This shift in perspective and gains in science that support the fact dogs feel emotional distress, social pressure, and have preferences has made us soft. It might be natural to take this "softness" as weakness but I don't think its a weakness at all! It's an awareness and an openness to the fact that our dogs are subject to many of the same life struggles humans are. As we broaden our prospective about the dog experience it is normal to feel a little helpless and overwhelmed by all the information. Now we see there is a behavioral issue that we were blind to with our past dogs but the path to resolving the behavior issue is no longer as straight forward as it was when we had narrow vision. Change In Expectations One more piece of this puzzle I cannot conclude without addressing. What if, with technology priming us for immediate and specific results, our "too busy" lifestyle, and our constant consumption of information changing our prospective have skewed our expectations. Media does a really good job of seeping it's toxic potion of the ideal life into our minds. We see a Subaru commercial with a happy family and a shaggy (non-shedding) muddy dog bouncing into the car with it's family. No leash, no training, no information about how this family got to this moment or what happened after. We imagine the dog walking obediently at our side, comforting us when we are sad, protecting us when we are afraid. Our expectations and ideals don't include the fact dogs have a lot of needs beyond food, water, and shelter. They experience trauma and mental illness. They are subject to stress and anxiety. Our expectations are all about us and don't consider them! Rarely, do we plan for how we are going to provide emotional security, accommodate for the dogs natural impulses (i.e. chasing, digging, barking, biting, and more) , teach the dog how to respond to and cope with stress, empower them to have agency and obedience at the same time. Then I ponder, how can we prepare our dogs in this way when we can hardly do this for ourselves. Did humans of the past really used to have all these expectations of dogs? From what I can tell we only had a couple: do your job and don't harm our families. Dogs were then left to be dogs. To chase dear, sleep, dig, socialized with other dog family members, etc. This goes without saying, we are also under more pressure than ever to own "well behaved" dogs in the public eye. The fear of coming in contact with people and their judgement is becoming impossible to avoid. Then to top it all off we don't want our dog to get us sued or start a legal debacle with our neighbors. We have pressure from all sides to have quiet soulless obedient dogs. Maybe it's time to get a robot. Individual Selection Now I think that this is a very real problem of the day. If you narrow our focus to the dog in front of you. How did you select them and what were you selecting? I see people adopt dogs purely on looks with out consideration or assessment of personality, preferences, tendencies, or sociability. In many cases families have selected the wrong dog for their ideals. I have clients who are active adventurers they bike, hike, and cross country ski they were hoping to get a dog that would match their enthusiasm for the outdoors. They select a breed/look of dogs, that is large and athletic, that they imagined would enjoy those activities only to find out the dog they selected is afraid to leave the house, hates going outside, and thinks every shadow, human, and dog it meets is a threat to it's safety. Another case, couple adopt a small mixed breed puppy hoping for casual dog walks in the neighborhood and a cuddly lap warmer in the house. Friendly with the adult children and grandchildren who come to visit. On the contrary the dog they adopted is a fierce resource guarder, highly intelligent (always getting into trouble) , and does everything with over the top intensity. They got the opposite of calm. It's not 100% the fault of the owner, because many of these pet parents didn't have the information to make a better decision. They were also influenced by media, breeders, friends, and rescues. In the end for many of the reasons I have already mentioned the pet owner selects an individual dog that is ill matched. I think we could do better about informing dog adopters about the individual and how they can better assess personality or hire a professional assessor before adopting a dog/puppy. No matter the reason, all of or none of the reasons I listed, the dog owning experience has changed in recent years. What do you think is the driving cause of this change? I'm really curious to hear from you. Let me know in the comments below.

Animal behavior modification. Address agression, separation anxiety, hyperactivity behaviors. Dog training classes. Certified trainers. 1/6 About Kelsie Hello, I have been asked on a few occasions who I am and how that relates to the work that I do. I think of myself as an artist that studies science and believes that I am no better than any other form of life on this planet. I approach animals and address their behavior issues with understanding. I'm not here to fix anyone but rather create solutions that improve human's lives with other species. I know and respect the fact that all behavior has a function to the individual performing the behavior. It would be ignorant to think that we, a human, have any right to alter another animals behavior with out understanding the function of the behavior in the first place. Even if we can't find the exact function we can respect that the individual is behaving rationally and for that they deserve to be heard. It doesn't have to make sense to a human. I gained my education first from awh-struck curiosity and keen observations when I was young. I had many teachers growing up. I had my momma dog and guardian Emmie. I had my goat friends Crystal and Wonka who taught me the power of play. I learned hard lessons about life and death through my bunny Fluffy. I gained knowledge in the destruction of modern trivial distractions from my lovely cockatiel Dazy. And there were others that have influenced me and taught me. Above all others is my own mother who reminds me without a word that learning is a constant in this life. I started KAS when I was 19 and fresh out of high school. My business was dog walking and pet sitting but I wasn't your average pet lover. I started my business because I saw the lack in quality of pet sitters and other pet care providers. Because animals couldn't talk I witnessed many professionals abuse this fact never telling the human owner that their dog got in a fight, their cat doesn't like them so they spend minimal time with the cat. It was heartbreaking to see animal's wants and needs blatantly ignored by humans entrusted to care for them. I worked hard to develop emergency plans and policies for how I would handle moments when an animal ran away, bit someone, or there was a fire in someones home. I based my business on being honest and sharing with pet parents what I noticed or how their animals truly were. I obtained business insurance, pet sitting certifications, and loads of happy client reviews. After about 5 years of pet-sitting I started dreaming of being of further help to animals and there people by training and behavior modification. In came a new round of webinars, classes, books, and research. A skill many don't know about me is I have a way of picking up information, distilling it down, and ability to apply and grasp complex concepts in a simple form. Before beginning this journey of becoming a behavior consultant I should mention my joy and passion for training that started when I worked for 5 years (through most of high school) at a boarding facility. I was blown away by how reinforcement systems worked and were so incredibly powerful. I spent lots of time training my own dog in agility, Rally obedience, and trick training. My personal dog EnKira, a Belgian Malinios, was a task trained service dog (despite my not having a disability). EnKira could take my checks into the bank, wait in line, and bring the wallet to the counter for the cashier to deposit. She would follow diligently at my side carrying her own leash through busy down town strip, wait patiently outside shops that had a no pet policy with a flick of my hand. It seemed natural that I would pursue a career in animal training and behavior. Today I hold a handful of certifications and am a proud member of a number of intelligent animal training groups. I have spent the last 7 years operating as a professional in the animal training space. It was more recently that I discovered another branch to animal behavior in the form of animal communication. I'm currently developing my understanding of the psychic intuitive process of communicating with animals. This is something I was already doing but I have been too afraid to openly say to someone that I was capable. If you don't believe in this form of communication through the heart you don't need to. My work is aided by this ability but it isn't a substitute for the science of behavior and training protocols. I also continue to explore and dabble in body work practices such as t-touch, acupressure, massage, animal fitness, and nutrition. The truth is my methods flex and bend to match the individuals that I am working with. I believe that each behavior case deserves to be worked through in a way that honors the animal and strengthens the relations around them. I'm dedicated to finding a solution that all parties involved can agree on. If you feel compelled to work with me then take that as a sign and lets talk. I am well versed with challenging behavior issues related to anxiety and aggression using data tracking and modern behavior modification processes. I'm also a Certified Service Dog Coach and if you are seeking help with training your dog to be a service dog or looking to obtain a service dog that is something I would gladly assist you with. Further more I work directly with rescues and shelters and have a strong eye for assessing and matching dogs with their their perfect family. If you let me know what kind of dog you are looking for I can assist in finding and even doing some initial training. Kindly, Kelsie Scroggins Testimonials Kelsie has been amazing for our dog and family! She listened to our concerns, came to our house and modeled ways to help our dog who has anxiety. She is very knowledgeable and in all things canine and shared tons of information and tips. She had us practice ways to help our dog that had our dog thinking she was playing games. We have faithfully played our games and incorporated the strategies and ways of doing things that Kelsie taught us and have seen vast improvement in our dog's behaviors. We would recommend anyone with questions or concerns about dogs to contact Kelsie. She truly cares about your dog and family. Lucinda Kamimae Kelsie is a very animal trainer. She has a true gift for reading and understanding animal behavior (and their humans!) Kelsie formed a great relationship with our pack: a puppy a millennial and a senior! Jenny Haven Kelsie is ABSOLUTELY amazing! When we lived in Hood River we sent our young Coonhound to Kelsie's doggy school and she LOVED it! She learned so much working with Kelsie and was so much easier for us to handle at home. A few months after we moved to Seattle our dog started to regress and was stressed from all of the changes, we sent her to Kelsie to board and train for three weeks and since she's been home we have seen so much improvement in her behavior. Kelsie gave us training exercises to do at home everyday and has followed up with us multiple times to see how Fiona is doing. We love Kelsie and can't imagine sending our pup to anyone else!! Sydney Milligan I don't know what would have happened with my new rescue dog, Ruger, if I hadn't found Kelsie. The poor dog had been through so much and was very fearful. That fear was sometimes expressed through some pretty scary looking behavior towards some people, yet he was so sweet with me. I didn't want to give up on him, but I was so unfamiliar with this type of reactivity that I knew I needed professional help. I started contacting local trainers and Kind was the one that really stood out. After a detailed phone interview, Kelsie offered to do an in-home session with Ruger to assess his situation and begin work on his issues. Kelsie has worked wonders with Ruger already and is teaching me more than I ever realized there was to know about dog behavior. I'm so pleased and grateful that she helped me to understand that Ruger is a sweet dog, not aggressive, and that he can get well beyond many of the fears that were holding him back. I can't wait to see how much farther he's going to go in our continuing sessions with Kelsie! Christina Fischer Kelsie is an amazing dog trainer, and was a god~send for us! We were looking for a trainer to help with very specific issues for our 2 farm dogs and feel so fortunate to have found Kelsie. Not only do we really resonate with her approach (really tuning in to the animals, and not using shock collars, etc), but in 1 session she made a ton of progress with us and our dogs on issues we have not been able to figure out for years! She was extremely generous with her time, essentially staying for "as long as it takes," and gave us wonderful follow-up instructions and reminders. And maybe the most important thing is the feeling I had after the session (and that's remained with me) is one of feeling hopeful and encouraged, that we're going to be able to do this with our dogs. We feel so very grateful to have found Kelsie and will continue training with her as needed. Yaeli Moon Kelsey is fantastic to work with. She came to our house to help us with our reactive, anxious and very sensitive dog. Our dog immediately responded to her. Her presence is calm, confident and clear which is exactly what our dog needed. Most importantly, she shared her knowledge and insight(which was spot on) with us. We were able to see her model interactions with our dog but more importantly, she gave us tips and things to think about that would help all of us change our relationship with him. Since her visit, we have been working on the things she talked about. Our dog has learned SO much, is less reactive and much happier. Kelsey loves her work and it's evident that she is authentic and genuinely cares about her clients. She teaches you how to train your dog. I would highly recommend her services. Ann Hansen Such an amazing company! The owner cares about animals and wants them to be safe happy and free. She brings the experience to the owner and helps them understand the psychology of their pets. I would be lost without Kind Animal Services. Angela Bruggeman Over the course of my life I've gone through many iterations on training techniques and working with different trainers. Kelsie is by far the calmest most knowledgable trainer I've worked with. In a world of shock collars and spray bottles it's refreshing to work with someone who understands and can communicate the process for working with the animal vs against. My most recent dog was inherited and a real challenge. KAS was able to calm my anxiety and provide me a clear path forward. Derwyn Harris Kelsie (& Kind Animal Services) is incredible. She is as compassionate and caring as she is insightful and educated. After a 4 thumbs down experience with another trainer in Bingen, WA, we engaged Kind Animal Services to help build/rebuild our traumatized & timid rescue puppy's confidence, and teach us how to best blend him into our household and lives. She took time to know Wylie and his unique challenges while slowly gaining his trust, first. During these one-on-one sessions we learned a lot about Wylie and gained tools to support his growth. A month-long board and train at her private facility sealed the deal. Kelsie's business name says it all, but don't mistake "kind" for being a "softie". She has been thoughtful & savvy at every step. We highly recommend Kelsie and Kind Animal Services! Heidi, Tim, Foster and Wylie 🐾 Kelsie and staff are experts in Positive Reinforcement training. They care deeply about animals and helping customers partner with their dogs to create great canine citizens. I can't say enough great things about her training programs and pet sitting Brian Feucht Taking the animal's feelings into consideration and having a bond with them is THE BEST way to train. The end result is a willing pet and an incredible friendship. Once you see it, you can't unsee it. KAS gently guides you in this direction. Your dog (or any other animal) will appreciate it! Kelsie's kind, gentle and uncritical approach is so refreshing. Tina Luzader Kelsie is very knowledgeable and presents creative solutions for addressing difficult puppy behavior. I attended both the Puppy Socialization and Foundations classes and saw great improvement in our puppy with reduced anxiety in new situations, as well as following basic commands. We will continue with additional training in the future, and I would highly recommend Kelsie and Kind Animal Services. Siobhan O'Halloran Education and Credentials I embarked on my journey with KAS in 2011, but my career with animals began in 2005. My roots in animal care run deep, having grown up on a small farm in Parkdale, Oregon, surrounded by a diverse array of creatures. From a young age, I was actively involved in dog 4-H and training classes, honing my skills through competitions with my own dogs. My experience with animals is not just a profession, but a lifelong passion. In 2021, I completed Susan Freedman’s Living and Learning With Animals (LLA) course. This allowed me to enter the certification world and apply for more advanced education. I chose this course as my foundation's course because, by this time, I already understood how behavior worked and the theories and science behind behavior. LLA offered a deeper understanding of the core principles of behavior without being specific to species or behavior challenges. Others who reviewed the course made comments about its college-level class execution. It’s also a structured live learning experience where students interact with other students, the instructor, and teacher aids. Following LLA in 2023, I applied and got accepted into the Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT) course by Malena DeMartini. While this course focused explicitly on separation-related issues in dogs, it fosters underlining skills in utilizing data tracking to measure the success of behavior modification. Additionally, this course teaches a deep understanding of systematic desensitization. This behavior modification technique is instrumental in helping dogs work through fears and anxieties in various situations. I have since used the techniques in this class to solve cases from dogs who panic when someone drives up the driveway to car chasing. Fast forward to 2024, and I pursued my Service Dog Coach (SDC) title. As most people know, service dog training is a very specialized field, and dogs trained for this level of work are highly trained dogs. This was the most hands-on course I have taken to date and required that I prove my training skills by training a dog to perform two particular service dog tasks. Unfortunately, part of the way through teaching a dog the chosen task, the dog underwent some changes that deemed that particular dog not able to perform the task. I had to select and train a different dog to do the task. In record time, I completed my assignment with a dog with absolutely no previous training experience. I appreciate this course's dedication to testing a dog trainer's skills in the field, not just offering certifications based on book knowledge. In the same year, I swiftly completed the Fear Free Pets - Animal Trainer certification, reaffirming my pledge to work with animals to reduce stress and fear. This course was a comprehensive exploration of working with animals in high-stress environments, such as veterinary clinics, shelters, and grooming salons. The fear Free Animal Training certificate not only demonstrates my knowledge and understanding of fear responses, but also my ability to reduce stress and help animals become more resilient and active participants in their health care and grooming. This practical certification is a testament to my commitment to the well-being of the animals I work with. Recently, in 2025, I will be compleateing the Aggression in Dogs Master Course. Furthering my education on working with high-risk and challenging dogs. While my most recent certifications are certainly significant, they are just one part of my comprehensive education. I am a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), and Animal Training Academy. Through these esteemed organizations and others, I have enriched my knowledge with numerous webinar classes led by industry experts. I also engage in self-study, delving into scientific literature on a wide range of topics, from species-specific knowledge to nutrition, health, training, and behavior.

Dog Training, Parrot Training, Horse Training. Specializing in Anxiety, Aggression, Challenging Behaviors. Kind Animal Services, Educating Minds, Enriching Lives, Empowering All Animals to Be Their Best Self. The Last Dog Trainer You Will Need With Kind Animal Services, you can finally stop wasting your time and money on tools and professionals that only work as bandaids and short-term fixes. It's time you focused on addressing the root of your dog's behavior issue. Alternatively, puppies and adolescent dogs start on the right path from the beginning. First step to successful resolutions starts with a conversation. Contact Today Customized Behavior Mod Programs Aggression in Dogs Specialist Service Dog Training Canine Outdoor Camp Separation Anxiety Training Kind Animal Services is Not Like Others Judgement Free Learning At KAS, we hold you and your animal in high regard. Our clients have often described their experience with us as refreshing and inviting. What sets kind Animal Services apart is our unwavering commitment to not judge you based on your or your animal's past, financial constraints, disabilities, or animal behavior issues. Training animals, particularly those with severe behavior issues, can be emotionally and mentally challenging. At kind Animal Services, our behavior consultants are dedicated to creating an environment where you feel at ease sharing crucial and sometimes personal information with us. We are steadfast in our mission to foster a safe and secure learning environment for all. The past is behind us, and at Kind Animal Services, we want you to feel at ease, free from judgment. Our role is to listen attentively to your experiences, provide support, and develop a training plan that is specifically designed for your circumstances. Our key to success lies in our ability to listen and offer suggestions only after we have gathered all the necessary information. Learn More Fresh Solutions At this point you may have tried everything, well almost. Kind Animal Services has a unique approach that allows us to come up with solutions you haven't tried. Clients praise us for our ability to think outside the box, to look at the dog as a whole being, and make flexible suggestions. Once size fits all, It's this way or no way, and narrow minded trainers don't consider the whole situation and get "stumped" when things don't go to plan. Together with, you, your family, your animals other wellness providers (vets, groomers, pet sitters, and trainers, etc.) as well as our extensive network of world class behavior experts we leave no stone unturned. KAS behavior consultants always leave the door open to new solutions and ideas that develop from collaboration. Fresh Solutions Unlike other services you may have tried, Kind Animal Services stands out with its unique approach. We develop solutions that you may not have considered yet, offering a fresh perspective on your animal's behavior challenges. Clients praise us for our ability to think outside the box, to look at the dog as a whole being, and to make flexible suggestions. One size fits all, It's this way or no way, and narrow-minded trainers don't consider the entire situation and get "stumped" when things don't go to plan. Together with you, your family, your animals, and other wellness providers (vets, groomers, pet sitters, trainers, etc.), we form a team. Our extensive network of world-class behavior experts and your valuable insights leave no stone unturned. KAS behavior consultants always open the door to new solutions and ideas that develop from collaboration. When it comes to behavior challenges, Kind Animal Services doesn't stop until we find an answer. We follow a rigorous scientific process, ensuring that our solutions are not just quick fixes, but long-lasting and effective. This patient and systematic approach sets us apart from many other 'trainers' in the industry. Here Till The End Kind Animal Services guarantees to see each case through. We won't give up on you or your dog as long as you don't. Our position is beside you in the trenches. We believe every dog deserves to be comfortable, happy, and healthy. There is only one thing between your dog and their education and behavior change: you. No one said that dog training was easy, from raising a puppy to changing behavior. But rest assured, it's not rocket science either. KAS has faith in you, and we will support you to the very end. Once a client, you are a client for life. We encourage you to reach out with every question, no matter how small or silly. You are not alone; with KAS, you have a dedicated mentor, coach, and friend in your corner. We get to know our clients and their animals so well that they become part of our extended family; seeing you and your animal thrive becomes a personal mission. Call Now Can't Afford Training? When you brought home your animal you might have had high expectations that your dog would just naturally provide companionship and blend into your life without much effort. This narrative is the ideal we (especially in America) are sold through advertisements (thanks Subaru and big-pharma). The perfect family is on with husband, wife, a couple of kids, and family dog. A dog you take for walks down the city sidewalk, likes riding in the car, is good with other dogs, gentle with children, and loves belly rubs. The reality is you got a rescue dog, a puppy, a working breed, a dependent breed, a unique personality with it's own preferences, experiences, and personality. When getting your dog you didn't think about the cost associated with training/educating your new family member because they just automatically and by design should naturally fit into your lifestyle and home. Barking, digging, running away, chasing, acting aggressively towards people or animals are all part of a dog's innate species design and now you need help to mitigate these unwanted behaviors. If you are on a fixed income, low income, or otherwise want training but can't afford it right now you can still get the help you need from KAS in a couple of ways. TRADE! We accept trades. Trades of services and trade for adverse animal training equipment. Email heytrainer@kindanimalservices.com and ask what your aversive equipment is worth. We accept E-collars, bark collars, invisible fences, prong collars, choke collars, and more... All you need to do is ask. We are happy to work with you and what you have to offer. DONATE! The second way we can offer training at a discount is by donating and enrolling in our raffle. We offer training services & equipment raffles once a quarter, 4 times a year. By donating you can win a 3 month all inclusive training program. Where we will work together through a serious of consultations. Learn More.

Certified Animal Trainer. Exclusive Private Boarding Option. Socilization. Service Dog Training. Specialty Training. Immersion Boarding School No dog is too old or cool for our school. Request Dates Today Boarding Can Be Stressful. KAS is Different Kind Animal Services started in the pet care industry because we felt so strongly that boarding at traditional kennel was too stressful for most dogs. We still strongly suggest that when looking for pet care solutions for dogs, such as a qualified pet sitter to care for their dog in their own home. We do have a Fear Free professional pet sitter, Natasha, who handles our pet sitting requests if that's of interest to you. In most board and train programs, dogs are housed in crates/kennels and taken out only a few times a day to train, then return to their kennel. Life at these training facilities is rigid and doesn't resemble the dog's life when they return home. Training in this way is less effective because the situations are abnormal, and the dog's ability to learn is inhibited by stress chemicals in the brain. Furthermore, traditional boarding programs offer little enrichment and the opportunity to decompress and relax between training sessions. Relaxation is known to be vital to learning and processing learned information effectively. At Kind Animal Services, our boarding program is designed to be adaptive and enriching. We have created a home environment that caters to the dog's need for relaxation and stimulation. A typical day for a boarding school student at KAS involves more than just training. They have plenty of time to relax in a natural home environment, complete with comfortable beds, long walks, and engaging games. Our dogs become part of our family during their stay, allowing us to seize every learning opportunity in throughout the day, not just during formal training sessions. Sign Up Today! "Educating your dog isn't a luxury; It's a necessity. Learning ultimately improves your dog's welfare long into the future." -KAS Simple Pricing Boarding School is one flat pricing rate of $200 per day of care. Pick up and drop off can be any time and don't effect your total. $100 for a half day of boarding for dogs who start after 12:00 pm and go home before 12:00 pm on their final day. There is no add ons or extras. Every dog is provided with everything they need to be comfortable and learn while at school. Food can be included but we do recommend that you bring some of your dogs normal food to keep their tummy happy and so they are not shocked by a sudden change of diet. Check Avalibility Today