Our Founder & Trainer

Certified Master Dog Trainer 

Certified Professional Dog Trainer 

Graduate of the University of Arkansas in Animal Science 

Abigail is a certified professional dog trainer with a deep passion for dogs and a strong foundation in animal science. She graduated a highly respected, hands-on dog trainer certification program where she was mentored by well-known industry leaders - Dave van Garderen and Jeremy Ciepluch, gaining hands-on experience in advanced obedience, behavior modification, tracking, service dog work, and K9 police training.

To continue her growth, Abigail has attended several top-tier seminars for professional dog trainers. Two of her favorites and highest recommendations are seminars by Johnathan Katz and Pat Nolan.

After earning her dual dog training certifications, Abigail attended the University of Arkansas, where she studied animal nutrition, husbandry, enrichment, genetics, and animal welfare. During her time there, she had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in New Zealand, learning hands-on about farm animal husbandry and wildlife conservation practices.

Back in the U.S., Abigail used her skills to develop a program that taught captive wolves to voluntarily participate in checkups through positive reinforcement—helping keep both animals and handlers safe.

Before graduating, Abigail completed a specialized internship in canine nutrition at a 120-dog kennel facility. She assisted with daily care and health management. While conducting a study measuring how many calories dogs burn during activities like agility, obedience, exercise, and retrieving.

Abigail is a Northwest Arkansas native, raised in Gentry, where she grew up helping her family manage cattle alongside their loyal dog, Foxy. Watching her father raise and train cattle dogs sparked her lifelong respect for the bond between humans and dogs—and laid the foundation for her future as a trainer.

While attending school, Abigail was required to raise and train her own puppy as part of the program. That’s when she met Vita—a name meaning "life" in Latin. Vita not only helped her pass her certification but also gave life to her dream career.

Today, Vital K9 is named in honor of Vita, the dog who started it all.