Meet the Team
Kelsey Schwing; Owner/Operator
Kelsey is the owner of Ace's K-9 Care. Kelsey has always had a profound love for animals while growing up around horses, dogs, and cats. Kelsey grew up with family dogs and also shown an interest in surrounding herself with animals, gaining the nicknames "Weird horse girl" and "Crazy dog lady." Kelsey lives up to these nicknames proudly, and has horseshoe and dog paw tattoos behind her ears to prove it. In 2015 at age 19 Kelsey bought her first dog, Ace. Ace is the reason and dream behind "Ace's K-9 Care." Ace is Kelsey's beloved Rottweiler who inspired Kelsey to pursue her dreams in owning and operating a dog kennel here in Prince George, as she wanted to spend everyday working alongside her best friend. Kelsey has been working with dogs since 2014. In 2015 Kelsey went down to Canada West Canine Centre to become a certified dog trainer, and to and to become certified in kennel management. Kelsey came back to Prince George and began dog training right away while attending the University of Northern British Columbia and the College of New Caledonia to continue her Business Management schooling. In May 2017 Kelsey graduated with a Business Management Diploma from the College of New Caledonia, while opening Ace's in May 2017 as well. Since opening Kelsey has grown her dog training career with researching and training through other dog trainers in BC such as The Dog Guru in Kamloops, BC. Kelsey has also become certified in Pet First Aid and has continued to learn and grow with dog behaviour in her over 5 years of experience with working with dogs. Kelsey will continue to develop in her workplace of kennel management and dog training by going down to Vancouver, BC to learn from Intraining K9 for hands on work in summer 2020, with her new German Shepherd puppy named Kip. Kelsey's world revolves around her dogs, and in her spare time enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, taking her dogs to the lake, and overall being outside.
About Ace's
Ace's K-9 Care is owned by Kelsey Schwing and Dawn Videgain. Kelsey and Dawn established Ace's K-9 Care in May 2016 with the purchase of an old school in Prince George, BC. After one year of renovations and planning, Ace's opened it's doors to the public on May 8th 2017.
Ace's offers premium boarding, daycare, training, and retail. Keep an eye out for more services coming soon!
Meet The Full time team
Mckayla Meyer; Trainer
Sarah Wigmore; Manager of Ace's K-9 Care
Sarah Wigmore; Manager of Ace's K-9 Care
Mckayla has worked in the dog industry for the past 8 years. Her first dog, Lincoln, was so terrible that he became her inspiration to learn as much as she could about dog training. In May 2015 Mckayla received her Master Trainer certification through Canada West Canine Centre where she completed courses in Breed knowledge, Kennel Managem
Mckayla has worked in the dog industry for the past 8 years. Her first dog, Lincoln, was so terrible that he became her inspiration to learn as much as she could about dog training. In May 2015 Mckayla received her Master Trainer certification through Canada West Canine Centre where she completed courses in Breed knowledge, Kennel Management, Basic and Advanced Obedience, Agility, K9 Protection, Tracking and Behaviour Modification. Since then she has worked at several kennels across B.C and continued her education through online and in-person training seminars. Mckayla has been a part of Ace's since May 2018 when she moved back home to Prince George. Mckayla has recently transitioned from kennel manager to our on-site trainer and hopes to open an off-leash adventure program in the near future. Mckayla is assisted by her three dogs, Mugs, Lincoln, and Wren.
Sarah Wigmore; Manager of Ace's K-9 Care
Sarah Wigmore; Manager of Ace's K-9 Care
Sarah Wigmore; Manager of Ace's K-9 Care
Sarah has an immense love for dogs and a strong passion for ensuring their best interest and needs are met. Sarah began her career in the dog care industry in 2015 and, immediately upon entering this field of work, knew this was what she wanted to do for life! Sarah joined our team in June 2019 as the assistant manager; her previous mana
Sarah has an immense love for dogs and a strong passion for ensuring their best interest and needs are met. Sarah began her career in the dog care industry in 2015 and, immediately upon entering this field of work, knew this was what she wanted to do for life! Sarah joined our team in June 2019 as the assistant manager; her previous managerial experience and dedication to creating a positive and enjoyable experience for each Ace's client made her an easy hire! She is a dedicated team member and has quickly moved her way up to the manager of Ace's K9 Care alongside her beloved dog, Benji. Sarah has spent the past five years working with dogs, and is eager to keep learning as much and she can about dog behaviour and care.
Michaela Wood; Assistant Manager
Michaela Wood; Assistant Manager
Michaela Wood; Assistant Manager
Michaela began as a client here at Ace's back in 2018 when she began bringing her dog, Nova, to daycare almost every day! Once word got out that we were hiring in Summer 2019, she knew that she also belonged here at Ace's. Michaela started in September 2019 and has since made a career with our team moving up into our assistant manager pos
Michaela began as a client here at Ace's back in 2018 when she began bringing her dog, Nova, to daycare almost every day! Once word got out that we were hiring in Summer 2019, she knew that she also belonged here at Ace's. Michaela started in September 2019 and has since made a career with our team moving up into our assistant manager position, and gaining another husky to add to her pack, Ava. Michaela is so devoted to the dogs that you will often see her sneaking into the kennel for extra doggy snuggles and play time even when she is off the clock!
Haley Hooper
Michaela Wood; Assistant Manager
Michaela Wood; Assistant Manager
Haley is an avid traveller and animal lover of all kinds, especially goats. She has been working in the kennel industry since 2015 and we were lucky enough to have her join our team in September 2019. For the past year, Haley has been a committed member of the Ace's team, always double checking her work to ensure the dogs are receiving to
Haley is an avid traveller and animal lover of all kinds, especially goats. She has been working in the kennel industry since 2015 and we were lucky enough to have her join our team in September 2019. For the past year, Haley has been a committed member of the Ace's team, always double checking her work to ensure the dogs are receiving top quality care. We are very excited to announce that Haley has been accepted into a grooming program where she will receive unique one-on-one training! Her warm personality and friendly energy will make her a wonderful groomer and we cannot wait for her to start offering her services in Fall 2020. Until then, you will see her and her two little partners in crime, Duck and Pekoe, around the kennel!
Meet the Part Time
Brooklyn Picton
Brooklyn is pursuing a career to one day become a teacher. In the meantime, Brooklyn has been working at Ace's along with her dog, Mia, since we opened our doors in 2017. She was our very first employee and has grown along with the company significantly. Brooklyn's deeply empathetic nature and quiet demeanor has been a huge asset to the t
Brooklyn is pursuing a career to one day become a teacher. In the meantime, Brooklyn has been working at Ace's along with her dog, Mia, since we opened our doors in 2017. She was our very first employee and has grown along with the company significantly. Brooklyn's deeply empathetic nature and quiet demeanor has been a huge asset to the team, she has gained the trust of many of our more timid and home-sick guests, helping them integrate into the kennel routine and pack structure with ease. Brooklyn has put Ace's first in many aspects of her life, and although she is getting closer to transitioning into a full-time teaching career, she still continues to hold on to any bit of the company that she can.