INFOCUS
DEEPENING THE CONNECTION WITH MAN’S BEST FRIEND VITAL K9’S CUSTOMIZED DOG TRAINING ALLOWS PETS & OWNERS TO ENHANCE THEIR BOND WRITTEN BY ALLISON GIBESON PHOTOS BY JAMI BOWMAN
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rowing up in rural Arkansas, Abigail Wilmoth spent countless hours bonding with her family’s Australian Shepherds. Her passion for dogs only grew over the years, and she is now the owner of Vital K9, where she offers services in pet training, puppy development, and service dog training. As a professional dog trainer, Wilmoth has trained more than 200 dogs. She says her focus on individualized training and improving the bond between pet and owner sets her apart in the services she provides. “We make sure our training is specialized to the dog and specialized to the dog-human relationship,” Wilmoth explains.
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SIMPLYkc MAGAZINE
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DECEMBER 2021
Abigail Wilmoth with her two personal working dogs, Nugget and Vita.
Wilmoth attended the University of Arkansas and obtained a degree in animal science. During college she was not sure what she wanted to do in the field, but she did know she wanted to help people through animals. When someone mentioned professional dog training, her interest piqued. After she went to a dog training school and obtained two certificates, she knew she’d found
her niche. With her background in animal science, she offers more than a typical trainer. She has a broader understanding of canine medical issues and how they play into behaviors the animals exhibit. “I understand the behavior of dogs, but I also understand the welfare and husbandry of dogs,” Wilmoth says.
