Who are we?

Who are we?

Welcome to K & L Aussies

At K & L Aussies, we are passionate about providing the best care and training for our dogs and our clients. Our mission is to foster lifelong bonds through health, holistic nutrition, mental and physical stimulation, and ongoing education for both dogs and their humans.

Our Story

Founded in 2011 by Kelli, our journey began with our first Australian Shepherd, Red, the stunning red merle. Over the years, we’ve grown into a dedicated breeding program, now managed by Kelli’s sister, Mckayla. Kelli has since expanded her focus into training, daycare, and boarding services, while our breeding program continues to emphasize quality, health, and balanced temperament.

Our Approach

We carefully select each pair for breeding, ensuring they complement each other’s traits to produce well-rounded and healthy puppies. From the moment they’re born, we dedicate time and effort to their development, utilizing Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Sound Stimulation (ESS) to foster balanced, confident puppies. Our strict protocols in the early stages set the foundation for happy, well-adjusted dogs.

Training & Freedom

We believe in teaching our dogs to be off-leash and to enjoy being truly “dogs.” We prioritize giving them the freedom to explore, sniff, and be themselves—ensuring their emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Health & Nutrition

Optimal health and longevity are at the heart of everything we do. We strongly believe in feeding a natural, species-appropriate raw diet to support their overall wellness and vitality.

Join Our Community

We love our dogs and hope you enjoy them as much as we do. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our programs, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to share our knowledge and help you on your journey with your best friend.

Our team is pet first aid certified by PetTech.


Our Team

Kelli — Founder, Owner & Trainer

Kelli is the heart behind K & L Aussies, bringing years of dedication, experience, and passion to every aspect of the ranch. What began as a lifelong love for animals evolved into a thriving business focused on boarding, training, grooming, and daycare — all built around structure, trust, and genuine care for every dog that comes through the gates.

In addition to running K & L Aussies, Kelli also manages a dairy farm, where her strong work ethic and natural connection with animals shine through every day. Her background in agriculture has deepened her understanding of animal behavior, routine, and responsibility — traits that carry over seamlessly into her dog training and breeding programs.

Kelli has extensive hands-on experience working with dogs of all temperaments, from family companions to working canines. She also trains police and detection dogs, combining precision, patience, and purpose in her methods. Her balanced training philosophy emphasizes confidence, communication, and teamwork between dogs and handlers.

While Kelli continues to lead the daily operations at K & L Aussies, she has expanded her passion for responsible breeding and showing through her new venture, Hilltop MAS & Aussies, where her focus is on producing well-structured, biddable, and healthy Miniature American Shepherds and Australian Shepherds.

Her dedication to excellence — in both her animal husbandry and her canine programs — continues to define the standard of care and quality that K & L Aussies is known for, where every dog is truly treated like family.

McKayla – Breeder & Daycare Nanny

Shortly after graduating high school, McKayla discovered her passion for the canine community. She began her journey by taking courses in whelping, puppy raising, and puppy evaluations. Over the years, she has grown into a key leadership role, now overseeing our breeding program and serving as our dedicated “Dog Nanny” in daycare.

McKayla has a deep understanding of dog body language and play behavior, which is essential for ensuring safe and positive interactions among our dogs. She loves raising litters with the utmost care, working closely with each puppy to ensure they receive personalized attention and early development support.

Living full-time at the K & L Aussies ranch allows McKayla to provide around-the-clock care for our dogs and puppies. She plays an integral role in maintaining a nurturing environment and spending quality time with each pet. Known for her calm and patient demeanor, McKayla creates a positive, stress-free atmosphere that promotes healthy socialization and well-being.

Recently, McKayla has developed an interest in grooming and is pursuing further education to become a certified dog groomer. Her dedication and compassion make her a vital part of our team and a trusted caregiver for our dogs and puppies.

Gosia — Whelping & Nursery Manager

Gosia is truly one in a million. Patient, kind, caring, consistent, and incredibly dedicated, she embodies everything you could hope for in a professional puppy raiser.

As our Whelping and Nursery Manager, Gosia spends her days providing individualized care to each and every puppy, ensuring their needs are met with love and attention. She has completed specialized courses to maintain and elevate our puppy development curriculum, always researching and refining her methods to give every litter the best possible start.

Gosia raises our puppies in her home, where they’re lovingly exposed to children, household sounds, and everyday life—helping them grow into confident, well-rounded companions.

Her commitment and gentle nature make her an irreplaceable part of the K & L Aussies team.

Kimmy Head Dog Trainer

Kimmy brings an incredible blend of education, experience, and passion to her role as Head Trainer at K & L Aussies. With a background in Wildlife Biology and Ecology, her career began in Alberta, where she worked on restoration projects for the Calgary Zoo through her studies. This early experience gave her a strong foundation in animal behavior, environmental awareness, and welfare.

After returning to Ontario, Kimmy worked in veterinary clinics in both Toronto and London, deepening her understanding of animal health and behavior. She later launched her own dog walking and training business, which quickly grew into a full-time career. Her natural ability to connect with dogs and her scientific approach to training allowed her to stand out in the competitive Toronto market.

Kimmy apprenticed under several renowned trainers in Toronto before graduating from the Victoria Stilwell Academy of Positive Dog Training, where she completed her studies with exceptional marks. She also earned a 100% final grade during her apprenticeship with Educanine Toronto, where she later became the Head Mentor for their dog walking mentorship program — guiding new trainers and handlers in proper canine handling and behavior.

Over the past seven years, Kimmy has worked with dogs of every temperament and background — from young puppies just starting their training journey to extreme behavioral cases requiring structure, patience, and skill. Her approach blends science-based techniques with practical, real-world application to bring out the best in every dog she works with.

Now based in London, Kimmy continues her work in veterinary medicine and professional dog training, while pursuing her growing interests in police K9 and search-and-rescue training. Her calm leadership, structured methods, and genuine love for the craft make her an irreplaceable member of the K & L Aussies team.

Caitlin Dog Trainer

Caitlin brings a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for animal care. Her journey began in high school, where she completed a co-op placement at a veterinary clinic, sparking her interest in animal health and behavior. She went on to build a successful career in the dairy farming industry, where she continues to work today, combining her love of animals with hands-on experience and discipline.

Alongside farming, Caitlin has expanded her passion into the dog world, working as one of our trusted trainers from her own home. She focuses on helping dogs develop structure, confidence, and balance through patient, consistent, and routine-based training methods.

Caitlin is dedicated to helping every dog reach its full potential and continues to further her education in the dog training and behavior field. Her calm presence, strong sense of routine, and deep understanding of animals make her a valued part of the K & L Aussies team.

Marissa—
Hydrotherapist/Trainer

Marissa is a familiar face you’ll see around the ranch. Marissa finished high school and continued her education in the canine industry, obtaining her certification in Hydrotherapy. She is looking to further her education in the canine therapy world to better assist the needs of your canine. She plays a special role here keeping all our dogs feeling their best. Her skills have allowed her to grow quickly here as a part of the pack. From giving a hand in grooming, evaluating the movement of dogs for any structural issues, training, whelping, and raising puppies. Marissa is a trusted pack member who is very versatile and an asset to K & L Aussies.