Misti Fry M.S.
I have been working with pet owners since I was 19. It was just something that I was passionate about and I enjoy teaching and problem solving. Turning teaching pet parents and their dogs into a business started small with just a few classes but kept growing and growing. The challenge of making the dog training business large enough to support me was one of survival. I have always had a great team around me and we made it what it is today. I didn't do it alone and I am grateful to all the "dog people" I learned from through the years.
I love hearing from my clients about how well my team treated them and their pets. I am fortunate to have a group of passionate employees and trainers that put all they have into this job. I can't be everywhere all the time and my team lives by our missions statement "Transforming the relationship between you and your dog"
2020 has been a huge transformation for Side Kick. We moved from a large industrial building to a smaller country setting in the midst of a pandemic business shutdown, fear, and uncertainty. We closed down, let everyone go, ramped back up, ran two locations for a bit, moved all our stuff, downsized, remodeled, and we are still not quite done. The COVID challenge I met head-on and my team was right with me.
The transformation of the Ozark location is not done. I am working hard on our outdoor space to be able to offer some new dog experiences. We are in a small classroom in Springfield for our training classes and I am excited to see what new space we find when the time is right.
Ladina Vanzandt
I’m so excited to be a part of Side Kick! I love love love helping people train their dogs & I recently realized it was just missing from my life. COVID19 hit, then I broke two bones in my ankle June of 2020, so was down for 8 weeks. I came back to instructing like a champ, using a knee scooter. I’ve been an instructor elsewhere for almost 15 years now. I’m certified to teach AKC Star Puppy, Home Manners (beginner adult class), & Public Manners (CGC test at the end). I’ve also evaluated the CGCA & CGCU tests. I’m an evaluator for Pet Therapy of the Ozarks, the oldest pet therapy group in the area. Puppy classes are my favorite classes to teach though, paws down… My accomplishments include an AKC High In Trial Award, CDX, GN, TKN, several CDs, BNs, multiple Rally titles, & multiple CGCs. Two of my dogs (Diva the Golden & Sissy the Lab) are Certified Pet Therapy Dogs with Pet Therapy of the Ozarks. I’m currently on the Pet Therapy of the Ozarks Board & serve as the New Member Liaison. I’m former President of Competition Dogs of the Ozarks & former Vice President of Springfield Missouri Dog Training Club. I can’t wait to get started on this new adventure & bring along our new puppy, an 8 week old Rottweiler named Joker!Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Ashlyn Robertson
I have worked with dogs for 5 years. I started out dog sitting and now I have completed grooming school and have been working as a trainer for 1.5 years. I have volunteered at shelters and have worked as a kennel technician at Side Kick. I have always looked for ways to interact with my canine friends and I enjoy the bond formed with each dog I work with. I also love the look in the dog and owner's eyes when they learn and achieve their goals together. So I would love to watch that relationship form and help achieve those goals with you! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Lesley Million
I have trained my own dogs since I was a kid and have learned and adapted my training methods as new
research has taught us what works best in dog training. I am glad to work at Side Kick where positive
training methods and fostering the bonds and relationships people have with their dogs is the focus.
I trained my first dog, Charlie (a matted and dirty American Eskimo I brought home as a stray) when I
was 8 years old. I taught him several tricks such as climbing the ladder and going down the slide, dancing
and jumping through a hula-hoop. Charlie was happy to “work” for a piece of whatever snack I was
eating at the time – usually an orange.
I have trained dogs in rally, obedience, agility and tracking over the years just for fun. I have had two
dogs active in Pet Therapy of the Ozarks in the past. Sam, Trailer, and I specialized in working with
preschool aged children in family violence centers.
I assisted teaching obedience and rally classes at another training facility for several years and then took
an extended break from formal classes.
In 2020 I rescued a reactive hound mix puppy who had been running the woods for over two weeks
alone. BelAir turned out to be very different than the dogs I’d had in the past and she needed a lot more
work and socialization. I had known Misti for years, so I reached out to her and started attending classes
at Side Kick. After taking BelAir to several classes, I started assisting and then began teaching classes on my own.
My favorite thing about teaching classes is seeing the progress in the dogs and the strengthened bond between dog and human.
“All dogs benefit from Misti Fry’s commitment to a positive, reward based approach to training issues and behavior problems. She has assembled and trained a like- minded staff. Misti also understands the importance of educating dog owners concerning the huge benefits of positive, reward based training. She and her professional staff can help you care for and even remodel your dog’s unwanted behavior by building the behavior you want.”
“This training is absolutely amazing! We had Emily and Jennifer. We did the Attentive Adults with my 1 year old pup. Their training techniques just work so good! I’m so proud of my pup! Highly Recommend!!”
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I take my border collie in for the daycare training package, and it is wonderful!! She is learning so fast! In this package I get to schedule a private training session with her trainer to learn what she is working on to help her at home, she gets a bath included, and her trainer sends me notes via email and tells me about my dog’s day. Everyone at sidekick is very kind, helpful, and efficient. Her trainer is very good with her, and so are the other staff members. My dog gets plenty of playtime when she isn’t being worked with and isn’t left in a tiny crate all day like her last daycare. She gets so excited when she sees we are at daycare! Drop off and pickup is surprisingly quick, even when multiple people are there to get their dogs. And even though I myself have never had my dog groomed at Sidekick, I have seen other dogs picked up for grooming who look gorgeous. Anyone who is looking for grooming, training, daycare, or boarding MUST consider Sidekick!”
“Side Kicks has the best dog training classes, doggie day care and nail trimming! It feels like a second home!”