Steve
PresidentProfessional Dog Trainer
Over 15 years ago, Steve began Kasten’s while he was a representative and installer with an underground fencing company. While installing perimeter fencing at various properties, customers would see his obedient dog, Butterscotch, and ask, “Can you teach my dog to do that?”
Steve began training dogs for people in the local community while friends and acquaintances were on vacation. Boarding and training, sometimes just boarding . . . until KDT outgrew one space and built the current training center in 2016.
And so it began…
Kylee
Head Dog TrainerPuppy Preschool Instructor
Puppy Residency Coordinator
Kylee has been a dog trainer at Kasten’s since early 2019 and in early 2020 became our puppy specialist. Before coming to Kasten’s, Kylee worked at a doggie daycare facility.
The highlight of each day for Kylee is watching a dog get excited when praised for doing a command correctly. She also enjoys watching dogs progress and transform through a KDT training program.
When Kylee isn’t training dogs and working with puppies you can find her hiking, kayaking, camping, or attending concerts.
Kylee says, “You should have your dog trained at KDT so I can play with them! Honestly though, because everyone at Kasten’s does their best to help owners and pets achieve their training goals.”
Lauri
Office CoordinatorCustomer Service
After working in occupational therapy for several years, Lauri left healthcare to join the team at Kasten’s Dog Training. Often, she will be your first point of contact when calling or visiting our facility.
When asked about her transition from therapy to Kasten’s, Lauri replied, “I was looking for a company with a track record of success in their industry and a strong reputation in the community. I was also surprised at the number of similarities between the goals of the occupational therapy clinician and Kasten’s mission. In occupational therapy, we work to help people restore quality of life after an injury or life event. In the same way, Kasten’s primary goal is to help each dog move toward functioning at its full potential.”
Victoria
Kennel Care Supervisor
Victoria joined Team KDT in early spring 2024. She is a recent graduate from Western Michigan University. She is driven by her love for dogs, building positive relationship, and constant opportunities for learning and growth. She has her own German Shepheard, named Kobe. One of her favorite quotes is, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”
Logan
Professional Dog Trainer
“What I love the most about working at KDT is seeing dogs become better, resulting in improving people’s lives.” One area of training that inspires Logan, is taking shy, scared dogs and giving them a better life, being a part of growing their confidence. Logan’s dad was an inspiration to him growing up. Over the years, their family has had 3 Great Pyrenees; they currently have a Bernese Mountain Dog named Bodhi. Logan enjoys training dogs and spending time with friends and family.
Trystan
Professional Dog TrainerBarks & Recreation Trainer
Trystan’s father once told him, “There is nothing you can’t achieve if you truly set your mind to it.” Trystan set his mind on being a professional dog trainer. Trystan joined the professional dog training team mid-2020. He enjoys reporting to work each day and learning every dog’s personality types, working with them through their hang-ups.
Trystan discovered his passion for dog training when he began training his own German Shepherd Dog, Arya, and the three values that drive him are honesty, dependability, and passion. These three values create a desire to take challenges head on and not surrender.
When asked why someone should have their dog trained at Kasten’s, Trystan replied, “People should have their dog trained with KDT because we teach you how to consistently communicate with your dog in a way they truly understand. This changes your daily life. Your whole life. It breathes life into your dog.”
Jamie
Customer Service
Austin
Customer ServiceKennel Care
Trainer
Austin has been willing to contribute in whatever area was needed at the time over the years at Kasten’s: landscaping, customer service, kennel care, and training. As he was growing up, he worked for his grandparents who owned a kennel and bred Shih Tzus. Austin credits his dad for helping him become who he is, saying, “My dad has always supported me and sought to teach me good values.” Austin says one of those values that drives him the most is “the fruit of the Spirit.” This is evident in the patience with which he approaches each day, interaction with the team, and working with the dogs. Why does he love working with dogs? “Their silly personalities light up my day.”
Kendal
Customer ServiceKennel Care
Kendal began working for Kasten’s in kennel care several years ago as a high school student participating in a work study program. Currently, she is pursuing a teaching degree while helping Kasten’s Dog Training part-time when she doesn’t have class. One of Kendal’s gifts is finding value in each dog and getting to know their personalities. She enjoys taking them for walks and working with those dogs that have been trained with Kasten’s during their refresher training activities that are included each day when they return for boarding.