Training

Kevin West brings over 20 years of experience in the dog training industry, built on hands-on work, continued education, and a deep understanding of animal behavior. Having been involved in the industry since the early 1990s, he learned from his mother, Sharon West, a pioneer in the field, and her colleague Chris Repovich, an experience that sparked his lifelong passion for training. Kevin has trained dogs across all breeds and behavioral challenges, using a balanced, relationship-based approach that emphasizes clear communication, mutual respect, and lasting results. His background also includes a short time working with dolphins, where he developed a strong focus on learning theory and the importance of timing in effective training. He holds multiple professional certifications, including CPDT-KSA, CNWI, NACSW ORT Judge and CO in training, Pet Partners Therapy Evaluator, Low Stress Handling® Certified Trainer, Fear Free Certified Training Professional, ABC Mentor Trainer, AKC CGC and ATT Evaluator, and PetTech Pet CPR & First Aid Instructor. He also mentors trainers and remains actively involved in developing both people and dogs to their highest potential.

As a second-generation owner of WestInn Kennels, Kevin has continued to build and manage the multi-location training, daycare, and boarding facility his mother established, fully taking ownership in 2019. His work includes behavior modification, obedience, canine therapy dog training, and hosting large-scale events such as NACSW Nose Work Trials and AKC events. He is also a judge and Certifying Official in training with NACSW. Kevin remains active in dog sports with his own dogs Jonesy, Emmie, and Memphis; even though two are now retired. At home, Kevin shares life with his wife, Pam, and their daughter, Lily. 

Ashton Jakcsy brings over a decade of professional experience to the world of canine behavior. Now serving as the Training Coordinator at WestInn Kennels, she leads behavior-focused training and works closely with clients navigating more complex behavioral challenges.

Her journey in dog training began at just 13 years old and has grown into a career spanning some of the highest levels of the industry. Ashton has trained working dogs for DARPA research projects and VA Service Dog studies, as well as developed K9s for local patrol, TSA, and Customs and Border Protection. Her experience is built on proven results in high-pressure, real-world environments.

Today, Ashton specializes in behavior modification, using her extensive background to help pet owners better understand their dogs and create lasting, meaningful change.

Outside of training, Ashton shares a busy, full life with her two children and a personal pack of five dogs, along with a cat and a bird.

With more than 30 years of experience training, competing, judging, and educating in canine sports, Charlotte Mielziner has built an impressive career dedicated to both dogs and their handlers. She has been actively involved in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Showmanship, Tricks, and Drill Team work, and is passionate about helping teams build confidence, precision, and a strong working relationship.

Charlotte proudly served for over 20 years as the Dog Project Coordinator for St. Charles County 4-H Clubs, mentoring countless young handlers and introducing them to the world of dog sports. She is also an accomplished writer and educator, authoring “Good Dogs Bite Too,” a dog bite prevention manual designed for visiting nurses, as well as “Sammies in the Kitchen” for Spirit of St. Louis Samoyed Rescue.

Charlotte is an Obedience and Rally Judge for both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). Her background also includes a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences and certification in Canine Behavior from Purdue University.

Additional accomplishments include:

• Founder of the K9 Olympics, now known as Canine Games, held annually at Purina Farms
• Developer of the “Safety Sam” Dog Bite Prevention Program for elementary schools
• Multiple National Championship qualifications in Obedience and Rally
• Decades of experience teaching and mentoring handlers of all ages and skill levels.

Julie Patzius has dedicated more than 40 years to the world of purebred dogs, specializing in Bearded Collies and Shih Tzus as an owner, breeder, exhibitor, and mentor. With over 30 years of experience working alongside veterinarians, Julie brings a deep understanding of canine health, structure, and care to every dog she works with. Throughout her career, she has guided more than 25 Bearded Collies to their AKC Championships, along with multiple Grand Championship titles, while also earning AKC Rally, CGC, and Therapy Dog titles with her dogs. Julie’s true passion has always been the Conformation Ring, where she enjoys not only presenting dogs at a high level, but also helping exhibitors build the skills and confidence needed to successfully train and handle their own dogs. Her decades of hands-on experience, combined with her supportive and encouraging approach, have made her a respected figure within the dog community.

Keara has been training and working with dogs since the age of 17 and has had a passion for dogs since early childhood. Through years of hands-on experience, she has worked with a wide variety of breeds, temperaments, and training approaches. She is dedicated to helping owners build strong, healthy relationships with their dogs while achieving meaningful and lasting training results.

She is an AKC Canine Good Citizen and AKC Fit Dog instructor and actively trains and competes in several dog sports, including Obedience, Rally, Disc, Fast CAT, and Barn Hunt.

Committed to ongoing education, Keara continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge of training techniques, behavior, and effective methods that help dogs and their owners succeed.

At home, she shares her life with eight dogs: four German Shepherds, two Golden Retrievers, a Miniature Dachshund, and a Terrier mix. All of whom inspire her passion for training and enrichment every day.

Her goal is to help every dog and owner team build clear communication, confidence, and a partnership they can enjoy both at home and in real-world situations.

Barb Weilms has spent many years involved in the dog training world, helping handlers and their dogs build stronger relationships through clear communication, consistency, and teamwork. Her experience includes working with dogs of all breeds and temperaments, with a special passion for Obedience, Agility, and companion dog training.

Barb enjoys helping teams develop confidence both in and out of the ring while creating a positive and enjoyable learning environment for handlers and their dogs alike. She believes that successful training comes from patience, understanding, and building a strong bond between dog and owner. Through years of hands on experience, Barb continues to share her knowledge and love of the sport with students of all levels.

My Obedience career began in mid-1970’s with my first dog, Casey, a German Shepherd
who completed his UD title. I began instructing obedience classes in the late 1980’s. My first
Golden Retriever, Lukas, also completed his UD title. Next was Golden Retriever, Megan, who
completed CD RN titles. She was my first female and taught me more than any other dog.
Following was Golden Retriever, Cody, such a happy boy, completing his CDX. My current dog
is Tyler, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. We are actively training in Novice, Open and Utility.
He is so much fun and a challenge to train.

I have been an obedience instructor for almost 40 years teaching primarily Open and Utility. I
have attended 35+ seminars by professional dog trainers to enhance my skills and keep
updated on current training techniques. I enjoy being an instructor and find it rewarding when
students achieve their goals. While pursuing various AKC titles, there is a special bond that
exists when training your dog,. However, first and foremost my dogs are my family. More
importantly they have been sweet, wonderful companions who have greatly enriched my life.

Bayley works within our Board & Train and Day Training programs.

He has been training dogs his entire life and began pursuing it professionally in 2024. Bayley is an active competitor in disc dog, agility, herding, and more, and is a primarily positive-based trainer who emphasizes play, engagement, and building a strong relationship between dog and handler.

Bayley is a multiple-time World Finalist in disc dog, a Reserve World Champion in Skyhoundz Pairs Freestyle Disc, and a three-time invitee to AKC TV’s Disc Dog Challenge.

He specializes in Border Collies and herding breeds and shares his life with his two Border Collies, Stardust and Juno, whom he actively trains and competes with in multiple sports.

I first came to Westinn Kennels in 2006 to begin training my German Shepherd puppy in the puppy classes.  Dogs have been a part of my life for 50 years.  I joined the Westinn instructor staff in 2012.  I teach the Pre-Novice and Novice Obedience classes.  Through the years, my dogs have earned titles in Obedience, Rally, Agility, Nosework, and FastCat.  I currently have a German Shepherd Dog and a Lab mix.

Erin is passionate about the sport of dog agility and brings extensive experience competing in AKC events, along with participation in several other agility venues. She enjoys helping both experienced handlers and newcomers develop their skills and reach their goals, and works successfully with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and drive levels.

Erin’s dog Rocky has earned the prestigious AKC Agility Grand Championship, along with multiple MACH (Master Agility Champion) and PACH (Preferred Agility Champion) titles. Rocky also achieved 3rd place at the AKC National Agility Championship. In 2025, Rocky qualified for the AKC Agility Invitational, advanced to the finals, and finished 8th overall, earning the #1 All-American Dog medallion.

Her other dogs, Rigby, Eleanor, and Magill, are accomplished competitors as well. Magill was the fastest Corgi in the United States in 2024 and 2025 and was featured on ESPN. Eleanor and Rigby have also appeared as models on commercial pet product packaging.

Through her experience as a competitor and instructor, Erin focuses on building strong handler-dog partnerships while helping teams improve skills, confidence, and performance in agility.

Jamie believes that trick training is a powerful gateway to building a stronger relationship with your dog while having fun together. Through teaching tricks, handlers and dogs develop deeper communication, trust, and teamwork. Jamie loves watching dogs grow in confidence and problem-solving ability while their bond with their handler strengthens along the way.

Jamie is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor (CTDI) and an AKC Certified Evaluator. She shares her home with four generations of Australian Shepherds, who often assist as “Assistant Trick Dog Instructors” during classes. In addition to her dogs, Jamie’s household includes a horse, a miniature horse, and a barn cat.

Her Australian Shepherds compete and hold championship and performance titles in Agility, Rally, and Fast CAT, and they have recently begun competing in Scent Work as well. Jamie’s Aussies have done several modeling jobs (both print and video) and are also proud members of the local therapy dog group, where they volunteer their time bringing comfort and smiles to the community.

I started doing agility in 1993 with my three Shelties, learning through books and seminars with respected clinicians such as Jane Simmons, Moake, and Stewart Mau. At the time, I was teaching obedience when I was asked to begin teaching agility, just as the sport was emerging within AKC.

Since then, I have competed in both AKC and ASCA events, earning 29 AKC championships. I’ve continued my education through clinics, classes, and lessons with respected trainers. Over the years, I have qualified for Nationals 13 times with my Sheltie Samson and Australian Shepherds, attending 7 of those events.

I truly love teaching this sport that allows us to build a deeper connection with our dogs while having fun. At WestInn Kennels, I teach the intermediate and advanced classes, and I also offer private lessons. Seeing the success of my students is the greatest reward; many have earned multiple MACH titles and have been invited to the AKC Invitational.

My teaching approach is highly reward-based, with a strong focus on helping both dogs and handlers develop a solid connection and clear strategy for success.

With over 45 years of experience, Tina Smith brings depth as an instructor, exhibitor, judge, and breeder. Since raising her first litter of Australian Shepherds in 1980, dogs from her program have earned titles across a wide range of venues.

Tina has served as an ASCA Senior Breeder Judge and UKC Specialty Judge, and has actively competed in conformation, obedience, rally, agility, dock diving, lure coursing, barn hunt, and Fast CAT. She also enjoys trick dog training and therapy dog work.

Highlights & Accomplishments:

• Award of Merit – Westminster Kennel Club
• National Specialty High in Trial – Fast Agility
• USASA #1 Year-End Rankings (Novice Obedience, Rally, Fast)
• National Championship Qualifier (Agility, Dock Diving, Obedience, Rally)
• 2026 National Champion – Dock Diving
• Founding Member – ASCA Dock Diving Committee
• Breeder/Owner-Handler of 35+ AKC Champions
• Multiple Group 1 Wins & National Specialty Winners (AKC, UKC, ASCA)
• UKC & IACCA Best in Show Wins
• UKC Total Dog Group Placements
• Breeder of top agility dogs earning AGCH, MACH, PACH, and more

Tina is especially passionate about helping new handlers succeed. Whether your goal is high-level competition, building confidence, or simply having fun with your dog, she creates a supportive, results-driven training experience.

Tim and Darlene Cutshall have dedicated decades to training, competing, and teaching in the dog world, sharing a combined passion for building strong relationships between dogs and their handlers. Together, they have experience across a wide variety of venues including Obedience, Rally, Agility, Flyball, Herding, Tracking, and more, working with breeds such as Shelties, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Siberian Huskies, German Shepherds, and mixed breeds.

Darlene began training dogs in 1976 and has spent nearly 40 years teaching Obedience, earning multiple Obedience Trial Championships while continuing to train and compete with her own dogs. Tim began training and showing dogs in 1989 and has spent over 25 years helping students and fellow trainers develop their skills, with Obedience remaining his greatest passion.

Together, Tim and Darlene bring a lifetime of hands-on experience, a deep understanding of the human-canine bond, and a genuine love for helping teams succeed both in and out of the ring. Their goal is to pass along the knowledge, teamwork, and joy they have gained through years of training, competing, and teaching in the sports they love.

Rose Clancy got her start in animal training nearly 25 years ago working with horses, where she built a strong foundation in timing, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Those same principles led her to develop a deeper interest in canine behavior and training.

Today, Rose is a certified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator and one of the newest members of the WestInn Kennels training team. She enjoys helping dogs and their owners build clear communication and strong, trusting relationships.

Her own dogs have earned multiple Trick Dog titles and CGC certifications, and she continues to stay active in training and enrichment with them. She’s also beginning her agility journey with three of her dogs, continuing to grow her skills along the way.

Rose is passionate about helping people and their dogs succeed together and believes training should be both effective and enjoyable for dogs and their families.

Hey! I’m Steve! I truly love agility, the handlers, and especially the dogs. I began training my first dog in 2013 and have been competing since 2015. I’m still running my “Novice A” dog at the ripe age of 13, and since then I’ve added a gaggle of Australian Shepherds.  

What I value most about agility is the teamwork, trust, and joy that come from a great run, whether it’s in competition or in the training ring. I love the challenge of finding new ways to solve problems, and I really value the opportunity to help fellow competitors along the way. I strive to teach with kindness and take pride in creating a positive ring atmosphere where handlers feel supported and respected. It’s a privilege to be part of the agility community and to be part of the staff here at Westinn.

In September 2023, I became an AKC Agility Judge. My time as a judge has helped shape the way I train and how I analyze courses. As the newest trainer to join the Westinn staff, I hope to bring a fresh perspective to training challenges while encouraging new handlers who are just starting their agility journey.