About Us
Here at KCC, we’re dedicated to helping you and your dog or puppy learn and GROW together. Our goal is to show you just how fun and effective positive, game-based training can be while empowering you with the knowledge, skills, and tools you need to continue training and supporting your dog at home.
We work with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments. Whether you’re working through everyday training challenges or more complex behavioral concerns such as reactivity, aggression, separation anxiety, fear, or other challenging behaviors, we’re here to help you and your dog build confidence and create lasting change.
Special needs dogs are what we do! We believe every dog deserves to be understood, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive. Our approach is rooted in compassion, patience, and meeting each dog where they are—because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to training.
And we don’t stop at training! KCC offers a variety of pet care services, including daycare, boarding, and pet sitting, so we can be there for you and your pets through all of life’s adventures. We’re here to help with all of your pet’s needs!
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Our Story
It all started when KCC founder, Kristina, rescued a special needs Pitbull from a local shelter.
At the time, Kristina was working at the shelter, where she spent much of her time working with anxious, fearful, and “aggressive” dogs. One day, a Pitbull arrived at the shelter with an extension cord wrapped around her neck and serious injuries to her head. After making a physical recovery, it became clear that she had an even longer emotional and behavioral recovery ahead of her.
After months at the shelter with no prospects of adoption, Kristina decided to foster her. She named her Sugar Plum—because despite everything she had been through, she was incredibly sweet.
It only took about a week for Kristina to realize that Sugar Plum had found her forever home.
Sugar struggled with severe anxiety and trauma-related behaviors and needed a different kind of approach to training. Determined to give her new dog the best quality of life possible, Kristina immersed herself in the study of canine behavior and began learning from experienced canine behavior professionals.
Kristina was able to put that knowledge into practice throughout her journey with Sugar. When Sugar first came into her home, having guests over could be overwhelming. She would bark, growl, hide, and sometimes even have accidents from fear. It could take several interactions before she felt comfortable enough to approach someone.
But with patience, compassion, and behavior modification, Sugar slowly began to build confidence.
Years of hard work, trust, and TLC later, Sugar now happily greets her guests—both two- and four-legged—with tail wags and a much more confident spirit.
Sugar Plum changed the direction of Kristina’s life and inspired her to help other dogs and their people facing similar challenges.
That passion led Kristina to pursue her professional dog training certification, becoming a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). Since becoming certified, she has continued to expand her education and stay up to date with current research and developments in canine behavior and training.
Today, that same passion for helping dogs who need a little extra understanding is at the heart of K’s Canine Companions. Because every dog deserves the chance to feel safe, understood, and confident—and every pet parent deserves the tools to help them get there.
Philosophy
At KCC, we believe dogs learn best when they feel safe, understood, and motivated to participate. Our training is rooted in positive reinforcement, where we focus on rewarding behaviors we want to see more of rather than relying on fear, intimidation, or punishment to change behavior.
We use games, rewards, clear communication, and individualized behavior modification to help dogs develop skills while also changing the emotions and associations behind challenging behaviors. This approach can be particularly valuable for dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, aggression, separation-related behaviors, resource guarding, leash frustration, or overexcitement.
But our philosophy goes beyond simply changing behavior. We want dogs to understand, not just comply. Our goal is to create confident learners who can make better choices while giving their people the tools to communicate with them clearly and effectively.
Every dog is different, so there is no single formula for training. We adapt our approach to the dog in front of us—and celebrate progress along the way.
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Credentials & Professional Standards
At KCC, we believe providing exceptional care starts with education, experience, and a commitment to professional standards.
CPDT-KA Certified
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.
ASPCA SAFER® Certified
Trained in the ASPCA’s SAFER® assessment methodology for evaluating canine behavior and helping identify appropriate handling and placement considerations for shelter dogs.
Continuing Education
We continually expand our knowledge of canine behavior and training and stay current with the latest research and developments in the field.
Professionally Insured
K’s Canine Companions is insured through Pet Care Insurance, providing professional coverage for our dog training and pet care services.
Science-Based & Humane Training
Our methods are grounded in learning theory and focus on effective, humane training that prioritizes the well-being of both dogs and their people.
Meet The Team
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Kristina Padilla
Founder & CEO
Certified Dog Trainer
Kristina is a CPDT-KA Certified Dog Trainer with a passion for helping dogs and their people thrive together. She specializes in supporting dogs with behavioral challenges and special needs, bringing patience, compassion, and individualized care to every dog she works with.
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Noreen
Pet Sitter
Assistant Trainer
Noreen is an Assistant Trainer and Pet Sitter with experience caring for two special needs dogs of their own. They also help KCC behind the scenes with client communication and organization, while bringing patience and compassion to every pet they care for.
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Molly
Pet Sitter
Dog Walker
Molly is an experienced Pet Sitter who has been caring for pets for years and brings a calm, dependable approach to every visit. Her pug, Meelo, is also a therapy dog for a local hospital, giving her a unique appreciation for the special bond between people and their pets.
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Honey
Pet Sitter
Dog Walker
Honey is a Pet Sitter and Dog Walker with a love for animals and a growing knowledge of dog training and behavior. She shares her home with cats and a bearded dragon. She has experience caring for pets with different personalities, needs, and routines.