About South Garden Service Dogs

Who runs it

South Garden Service Dogs is Kevin Lanouette's business, founded in Woodford in 2023 after what the site describes as more than twenty years owning and operating Abby Kennels in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. He has been training and breeding German Shepherds since 1986 and the site describes him as a Master Trainer with more than 35 years of experience — a self-described title rather than one issued by a registry, so worth asking about directly.

The competition record is specific and checkable in a way most local trainer claims are not. The site lists 2006 and 2007 New England Regional Schutzhund Champion, the 2007 USA FCI World Team in Turin, the 2008 team in Wavre, the 2009 GSD Masters World Tournament, a 2010 New England regional championship, a first-place World Team qualification in 2011 and the 2011 FCI and WSUV world teams in Rheine and Kiev.

What they offer

Five training types are named: service dog training, residential training, obedience training, protection training, and Schutzhund/IGP competition training, for dogs of all ages. Alongside those sits a home security and protection program and an Executive K9 Development Program, under which you buy a puppy or adult German Shepherd from the business and receive a tailored training program for that dog and your family, which the site says has no expiration date.

The first assessment is free. The page describes it as a session in which Kevin evaluates the dog's behavior, temperament and training needs to create a personalized training plan, and prices it as "a $120 value, completely risk free to you."

Where they work

The stated catchment runs from Washington DC to Richmond, with McLean, Fredericksburg, Ashland, Richmond, Chester, Ruther Glen, Mechanicsville and Woodford named. The facility is at 8476 Stonewall Jackson Rd, Woodford, with hours published as Monday to Friday, 1pm to 6pm.

What to ask

Ask about prices for each training program, program lengths and what the residential program involves day to day. For the service-dog side, ask about task training, public access standards and the placement process.