Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlan Warmbrod.
Hi Kaitlan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, I knew I wanted to start a nonprofit to help homeless pets, I just wasn’t sure what form it would take. That passion led me from my hometown in Montana to Southwestern University (SU) in Georgetown, Texas, after I found it offered a degree in Animal Behavior. Not long after I arrived, I learned the university had discontinued the program. Rather than give up on my goal, I worked with faculty to create an independent study path, ultimately earning a customized degree in Animal Behavior.
During my junior year, I began an apprenticeship with Karma Dog Training to gain hands-on experience and additional certifications. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to leave campus and return to Montana, bringing the apprenticeship to an early end. Determined to continue learning, I enrolled in Animal Behavior College and graduated from both ABC and SU in the same year.
As the world began reopening, I returned to Texas to gain more experience in the field. I spent a year at Zoot Pet Hospital as a Dog Trainer, where I grew the program until it was dissolved following a corporate sale. Soon after, I joined Austin Pets Alive! (APA) as a member of their Dog Behavior Follow-Up team. Over the next three years, I worked with a wide range of behavioral cases, while also taking private clients through what would later become The Crue Dog Training and Behavior Consulting. During this time, I balanced three jobs, APA, Zoot (as a suite tech), and private training, while also pursuing a Master of Professional Studies in Canine and Feline Health and Science, which I completed in March 2024.
Following my graduation, I was promoted to Dog Behavior Training Supervisor at APA, where I oversaw behavior assessments, developed and implemented training plans, assigned gear, trained staff, and supported daily operations. After a year in that role, the opportunity arose to finally realize my dream: launching my own nonprofit.
Now fully operational, The Crue Dog Training and Behavior Consulting is dedicated to preventing the unnecessary surrender and euthanasia of companion and shelter pets. Our mission is driven by a two-pronged approach:
Supporting pet owners who are facing behavioral challenges that might otherwise lead to surrender or euthanasia.
Partnering with shelters to provide staff training and implement enrichment-focused routines that get every dog out for a daily outing, safely and meaningfully.
Additionally, The Crue offers community care programs to assist pet owners experiencing hardship, ensuring they have the resources to keep their pets at home.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The first obstacle arose after learning about the Animal Behavior degree being discontinued. My heart dropped when I was told and I remember crying on the phone to my mom. I had come so far for the education and felt like if I went back to Montana for college, I wouldn’t leave again.
The next challenges came within college, especially grad school. Working three jobs while trying to do your best at a competitive university can take a huge strain on you both mentally and physically. There was a time when I stopped attending classes because my only focus was on keeping myself going.
Being in this line of work you can also be pushed mentally on a regular basis. There’s trauma all around you, whether it’s because of a dog’s history, injury to you or a dog or an incident that happened. It’s not uncommon to have to say goodbye to a dog you loved dearly, then return to work with full composure as if nothing happened.
Securing funds through grants and fundraising has also been a challenge. It’s surprisingly competitive and there are unfortunately some grant requirements that are hard for a newer nonprofit to meet.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Crue Dog Training and Behavior Consulting?
The organization is fairly unique because we’re looking to address the homeless dog population and high rate kill shelter pandemic not only in Texas, but across the nation with our own method of training. I’m personally really proud of our training method which we have called the Motley Method. It’s our take on Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behaviors within the Humane Hierarchy, and is a method I created during my training journey with my own dog after noticing what I thought was aversive for her and what was actually aversive to her. With the Motley Method the focus is on using humane, individualized training approaches and prioritizing the dog’s needs and comfort. The goal is to build trust, find what motivates each dog, and provide effective training that promotes positive behaviors while respecting the dog’s boundaries.
Pricing:
- Behavior Consultation – $75+
- Canine Social Sessions – $35-75
- Shelter Packages – $1500-2000
- Shelter Block Training – $300
- Companion Care – $40-75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecruenonprofit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecruenonprofit/#
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Crue-Dog-Training-and-Behavior-Consulting/61564533530872/#
