Kate Abbott brings an unusually varied background to Kindred Spirits Canine Education Center. According to her site, she has spent time as a veterinary technician, worked in protection and security dog training, and logged years as both a therapy dog handler and service dog trainer. She co-authored a book on relationship-based training in 2022 and led the board of a therapy dog organization for a decade. That range of experience shapes how the Vista facility approaches its work.
The center operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with a stated goal of keeping dogs out of shelters by helping owners build skills. Their site describes a training philosophy that goes beyond standard commands—classes incorporate what they call "concept training" and decision-making exercises alongside traditional methods like lure-and-reward, letting owners discover what clicks with their particular dog. Group classes stay small, typically five or six dogs, and students receive weekly email summaries to reference between sessions.
Programs run the typical progression from puppy classes through basic and intermediate obedience, with AKC certifications built into the curriculum—puppy students can earn the S.T.A.R. Puppy designation, and a dedicated Canine Good Citizen course includes the official test fee. For owners interested in service dog work, the center says it provides guidance for those training their own dogs when the situation fits.
