Hi, I’m Sarah, the owner and head trainer of Spence K9.

Growing up, I was always drawn to animals. Not just loving them, but understanding them. I spent most of my childhood helping train our family dogs, learning quickly that behavior isn’t something you “control,” it’s something you communicate with. That early curiosity turned into a lifelong direction.

While attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington, I was introduced to professional-level dog training through the paws4people Service Dog Training Program and Puppy Development Internship. There, I gained hands-on experience in canine behavior, health and wellbeing, socialization, and the structured development of Service Dogs. It was my first real exposure to how deeply training can impact both a dog’s life and the person they serve.

After graduating, I continued my education at Highland Canine School for Dog Trainers, where I completed the Master Trainer Program. I graduated at the top of my class with honors, but more importantly, I gained real-world skill in understanding and working with dogs across a wide range of drives, temperaments, and working roles.

That training covered everything from foundational obedience to advanced specialty work including agility, service dog development, detection work, and police K9 training. It reshaped how I approach dogs, not as “problems to fix,” but as individuals who need clarity, structure, and leadership they can understand.

Today, Spence K9 focuses primarily on general obedience, advanced obedience, and service dog training. But my education and experience don’t stop there. I’m constantly expanding my knowledge through continued education, seminars, hands-on work, and collaboration within the training community.

Because of that, we’re often able to take on more specialized requests as well.

Some additional training options available upon request include:

• Detection training
• Tracking and trailing
• Search and Rescue foundations

If you don’t see the exact type of training you’re looking for, reach out anyway. Many of the best training plans are built around the dog in front of us, not just a preset category.

At Spence K9, the goal is simple: create clear communication between you and your dog so life together becomes more balanced, more reliable, and more enjoyable.