WestInn Kennels has been at the heart of the St. Charles County dog community for more than four decades.
Our story began in the early 1980s when Companion Dog Training School was established by Jewel Walton. The school quickly became a respected resource for dog owners seeking quality training and guidance, helping countless teams build stronger relationships with their dogs.
In the early to mid-1990s, Companion Dog Training School was purchased by Sharon West, whose vision and passion for dogs would ultimately lead to the creation of WestInn Kennels.
Sharon dreamed of creating more than just a training school. She envisioned a place where dogs and their owners could find education, care, and support all under one roof. Alongside her lifelong best friend, Chris Repovich, she poured her heart and soul into building WestInn into a destination for dog owners throughout the region. Together, they created a facility centered around compassion, education, and a commitment to helping dogs and people succeed together.
A major milestone came in 2004 with the purchase of the Wentzville facility, which allowed WestInn to continue growing and expanding its services. That same year, Kevin West joined the team and began learning the business from the ground up.
Over the next fourteen years, Kevin worked in nearly every aspect of the operation. From caring for dogs and maintaining the facility to assisting with training classes, managing daily operations, and eventually teaching and developing programs himself, he gained firsthand experience in every corner of the business. More importantly, he learned from Sharon and Chris, whose dedication to dogs and commitment to clients shaped the culture of WestInn.
In 2018, WestInn faced one of the most difficult moments in its history when Sharon received a heartbreaking cancer diagnosis. To ensure the business she loved would continue serving the community, ownership transitioned to Kevin, who was honored to carry forward the vision and values that had been built over decades.
Today, WestInn Kennels remains a proud second-generation family-owned business offering boarding, daycare, grooming, training, canine sports, and enrichment opportunities. Under Kevin’s leadership, WestInn has continued to grow while staying true to the principles that have guided the organization since the beginning: education, integrity, community, and a genuine love for dogs.
Over the years, WestInn has trained thousands of dogs, hosted countless classes and events, and helped generations of owners develop stronger relationships with their canine companions. From obedience and behavior work to agility, scent work, AKC programs, and beyond, our mission has always been to help dogs and their people succeed together.
While much has changed since the early days of Companion Dog Training School, the foundation remains the same. We are a family business built on relationships, fueled by passion, and dedicated to improving the lives of dogs and the people who love them.
We are grateful for the legacy that brought us here, the community that continues to support us, and the opportunity to serve dogs and their families for generations to come.
WestInn Kennels Inc.
