About Precious K9s

Who they are

Precious K9s is the practice of Carrie Galvan, who the About page describes as a Certified Behavior Consultant Canine since 2017 and a Certified Professional Dog Trainer from 2011 to 2023. The same page lists her as a Certified Trick Dog Instructor with the Do More With Your Dog program and an AKC Evaluator, and says she served three years as the behavior expert on Springfield's Animal Issues Task Force, where the site says she had a large hand in rewriting the city's dangerous and vicious dog legislation. Two colleagues are named: Julie Mueller, who joined in September 2023, runs the main office and group classes and takes her own private coaching clients; and Lisa King, who instructs, evaluates and organizes the therapy-dog teams and additionally holds an Animal-Assisted Crisis Response handler credential with Pet Partners and an AKC Fit Dog Instructor credential.

What they concentrate on

The practice is weighted heavily toward behavior rather than basic manners. The About page says Carrie's focus is behavior that causes turmoil in the household and lists aggression toward people and animals, resource guarding, separation anxiety, fears and phobias, house training, barking and destructive behavior. Her own words on the page are that her passion has always been working with dogs with behavioral issues. Owners wanting basic training are directed to Julie instead, and trick-dog titles to Lisa – an unusually explicit piece of routing for a small practice.

Prices and format

The initial behavior consultation is $275 and usually runs about an hour and a half, covering a history form completed at sign-up, a discussion of specific incidents, observation of the dog and any video the owner submits. Follow-up sessions are $150 and run up to 45 minutes, at the client's home or in a public place. Session fees are non-refundable and payable at sign-up, and the site asks for at least 48 hours' notice to reschedule.

Two changes worth knowing

The site announces two shifts that affect what an owner can book. From May 2026 it no longer offers beginner group classes, keeping only an advanced class roster and pointing beginners to other Springfield-area providers; advanced classes are open to those who have come through private coaching or are previous students. And after April 30, 2026 the Rogersville facility stops taking appointments, with all sessions moving to the client's house, a local public place, or video. An owner reading an older listing should expect an in-home or virtual service rather than a facility visit.

Other programs

The site carries therapy-dog classes, online programs, workshops and AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog work, and publishes a long-running blog on behavior subjects written under Carrie's name.