Kylee

• Professional Dog Trainer
• Puppy Preschool Instructor
• Puppy Residency Coordinator

Kylee has been a dog trainer at Kasten’s since early 2019 and in early 2020 took over our puppy preschool and puppy residency training programs. 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. She also enjoys working her own dog, Shenzi, and being with Armani, her fox. When asked, “What is the best advice you have ever received?” Kylee answered, “My mom always told me to make good choices while I was growing up and her words have been on my mind even as an adult.” If Kylee were given the chance to trade places with anyone or anything for just one day she should trade places with one of her pets because “They live such an easy life and are so spoiled!”

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.”

 

Steve

• KDT Founder
• Trainer

Over 15 years ago, Steve began Kasten’s while he was a dealer 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?”  He began training dogs for people in the Elkhart County community while they were on vacation.  Boarding and training, sometimes just boarding . . . until he outgrew one space and built our current beautiful facility 6 years ago.  And so it began. 

Steve’s expertise has grown with each year.  He is particularly passionate about helping fearful, anxious, and aggressive dogs in need of behavior modification be able to live their best life. 

Steve is a servant leader with a passion for personal growth and staff development.  When he occasionally takes a break from KDT and gets away, he enjoys time with his wife and their grown sons, camping with his dogs, and riding bicycle. 

 

Jordan

• Trainer

Can you really call it work when you get to hang out with dogs all day?  This is Jordan’s favorite part about work at Kasten’s Dog Training.  His family always had dogs as Jordan was growing up.  Now he enjoys seeing the positive impact training can provide each dog and its family. Jordan values knowing that he is making a difference for someone else.

When not at Kasten’s, Jordan enjoys hiking/camping, watching sports, and boating.

 

Logan

• 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 Bear. 

Logan enjoys training dogs and spending time with friends and family.

 

Trystan

• Professional Dog Trainer
• Group Lessons Instructor

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.  He was determined and his persistence paid off.  Trystan joined the professional dog training team mid-2020.  He enjoys reporting to work each day and learning every dog’s personality types and 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 Trystan isn’t training dogs, he enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially with Arya.  He also enjoys spending time with friends and family.  His favorite memories are the weeks in Florida with no real-world responsibilities.  His only “job” was to relax on the beach and decide what to cook each evening from the fresh market!

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 breaths life into your dog.”

 

Lauri

• Office Coordinator

After working in occupational therapy for the past 8 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.

Lauri’s primary responsibilities include scheduling evaluations, training, and boarding; greeting clients; billing and receivables; answering clients’ questions; and the occasional dog walk!

When asked about her transition from OT 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.”

When out of the office, Lauri enjoys reading, playing piano, exercise, and spending time with family.  Lauri and her husband also enjoy many adventures doing one of their favorite past times called letterboxing, which often takes them hiking through the woods – following clues to locate a hidden box with a stamp and notepad to leave a message. 

 

Morgan

• Kennel Care Team
• Customer Service

Morgan has been using her gifts of efficiency and detail to contribute in both Kennel Care and Customer Service at Kasten’s Dog Training since early 2021. Morgan is particularly interested in working to assist in socializing dogs to things of which they may be fearful by gently acclimating them in a safe, calm, and caring environment.  She came to KDT with 10 years of 4-H Dog Club experience.

Outside of Kasten’s, Morgan loves attending concerts, alternative fashion, spending time with family and friends, and taking naps.  She is our little dog lover and at home she has 2 little dogs, 2 cats, a ball python, and tree frogs.  

“In the end, nothing we do or say in this lifetime will matter as much as the way we have loved one another,” by Daphne Rose Kingma is Morgan’s favorite quote. Her grandma taught her to be empathetic and treat people with kindness, regardless of differences.  Morgan’s values to be kind and love one another drive her to be caring and supportive of her friends, family, her team at KDT, and to the dogs in her care.