We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kasey Dugan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kasey below.

Kasey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

I started my business at a time in my life when I was craving purpose, connection, and a way to help dogs and humans feel more seen. It wasn’t a glamorous beginning; more like a quiet inner nudge that kept getting louder.
In a way, it all traces back to growing up with horses, where I first learned how deeply animals communicate when we slow down enough to listen. And later, my years working in special education taught me patience, compassion, adaptability, and how every individual-human or canine-has their own way of learning and expressing themselves. Those two parts of my life shaped the trainer I eventually became.
If I had started sooner, I wouldn’t have had the emotional grounding or the perspective to truly hold space for people and their dogs. If I had waited longer, I might never have taken the leap at all.
So even though it would have been amazing to start this wonderful adventure sooner, I don’t think I would change the timing. I grew into this work exactly when I needed to!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Kasey! A a dog trainer, educator, lifelong animal kid, and someone who grew up learning from horses long before I ever worked with dogs. My background in special education taught me patience, creativity, and how to meet every learner where they’re at; skills I now use every single day with both dogs and humans.

I got into dog training when I realized I didn’t just love dogs. I also loved helping people understand them. I saw so many families feeling overwhelmed or guilty or shamed and I wanted to create a space where everyone could breathe, learn, and reconnect.

What I do:
I offer connection-based dog training, behavior support, enrichment ideas, kid-and-dog activity programs, creative resources, and fun “okayest dog parent” content that makes training feel doable, shame-free, playful, and fun!

What I solve:
I help people understand their dog’s behavior, reduce chaos, support nervous or overexcited pups, and navigate the reality of raising dogs and kids together; all while navigating the chaos and magic of life with dogs!

What sets me apart:
I blend education, humor, compassion, and support into training that feels human-friendly; not perfection-based. No guilt, no judgment, just real tools for real families.

What I’m proud of:
I’m proud of creating work that helps people feel seen and supported and I’m proud of making training accessible, creative, and fun.

What I want people to know:
My mission is simple: help people and dogs feel more connected, confident, and understood. If you want training that feels supportive and relationship-focused (with plenty of room for messiness!)….you’re in the right place!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honestly? I have built my reputation by being the trainer people feel safe with. I explain things in a way that makes sense, I don’t shame anyone for being human, and I mix solid behavior science with humor and real-life honesty. People know I genuinely care about them and their dogs; and that I’ll walk with them through the chaos, not judge them for it. I help people find the joy and fun with dogs.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A moment that really illustrates my resilience and ability to pivot actually happened long before I entered the world of dog training. I was deep into my previous career in special education and while I loved the people and the work, the system itself was burning me out. Slowly, then all at once. I reached a point where I was emotionally exhausted, overstretched, and feeling like I had nothing left to give.
But instead of collapsing and staying there, I got curious. I started paying attention to what did light me up; things like connection, creativity, animal behavior, and helping individuals communicate in their own way. That quiet inner spark led me back to the thing that had always grounded me: working with animals.
Walking away from a stable career because your nervous system is waving a white flag takes a weird combination of courage, panic, and stubborn hope. But I trusted that something better was waiting on the other side of burnout. And building my dog training business proved that right.
The transition of leaving a field I cared about but couldn’t survive in, rebuilding myself, and creating a business that supports both people and dogs helped to show me my own resilience more clearly than anything else. It taught me that sometimes resilience isn’t pushing through; it’s knowing when to step out, start over, and grow something healthier.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.getsitdonedogs.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsitdonedogs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getsitdonedogz/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@getsitdonedogs

Image Credits

Alyssa Sanchez
Lilo Photography-Lisa Lord