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Customer Testimonials

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Holiday Boarding Dates for 2003/2004
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Kennel Photos
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WATERDOG TRAINERS

Joie & Kristie Wilder

Joie began training dogs in 1993 by "accident." At that time, he was attending West Georgia College, playing football on full scholarship, when he contracted bacterial meningitis, an airborne disease which doctors still don't quite understand. Over the course of two years, he underwent over 15 surgeries, resulting in the loss of both of his legs below the knees and a majority of his fingers. During his recovery, he was given a black Labrador Retriever, that he named Austin. He ended up training Austin as a companion dog and also titled him as a Hunting Retriever Champion.

Joie received his BA in Biology and Psychology from the State University of West Georgia in 1998.

Kristie began training dogs for obedience in 1990, beginning with her Boxer, Rocky. She has been training dogs for pet obedience since 1994 and hunting and field trial retrievers since 1995. She worked with Joie to title Austin.  At that point, they began training retrievers for AKC field trials.

Kristie received her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Management in 1995 after completing her BA in Management in 1994. She received both degrees from Bryant College in Smithfield, RI and then completed post-graduate work in Sports Marketing at George Washington University in Washington, DC. 

Kristie and Joie have been operating WaterDog Kennels as a boarding and training facility since 1996.  The business was started as a part-time training business, where they traveled to clients homes to help them train their dogs.   As the demand for their services increased, they became unable to accommodate everyone.  They began inviting clients to their home for lessons.  Clients then began asking for boarding services.  So they began to build what is now the WaterDog Kennels training center and boarding facility.  It has evolved greatly since 1996, is still growing, and provides an exciting retreat for hundreds of dogs every year.

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