Heartland Hounds, a dog obedience, sports training and wellness facility owned by Dr. Kasey Flynt, is set to open in downtown Emporia at 912 Commercial Street in early November. Current trends in dog training across the United States emphasize positive, reward-based methods, which align with the programs planned for Heartland Hounds.

The move repurposes the former home of Dynamic Discs into a center intended to broaden access to training and therapeutic services after Flynt’s own experience training a service dog. With a strong focus on basic obedience and behavioral training—a segment that remains the largest in the industry—Flynt aims to help dogs and their owners build confidence and manage stress.

Flynt, who will operate Heartland Hounds, has scheduled an official ribbon cutting for Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m., followed by a community open house on Nov. 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Dog owners seeking reputable training facilities are advised to look for trainers certified by recognized organizations, which Heartland Hounds will strive to uphold. The ribbon-cutting appears on the local event calendar maintained by Visit Emporia.

The facility includes a Wellness Center equipped for rehabilitation and conditioning: a heated therapy pool, a saltwater pool, an underwater treadmill, an electromagnetic bed and other therapies intended to treat arthritis and similar conditions. Notably, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior supports humane methods, a practice that will guide group classes and private training alongside dog sports programming. This is not only effective for learning but also enhances dogs’ ability to retain training outcomes.

Heartland Hounds has contracted with multiple dog-sports organizations. The business will be the only North American Dive Dogs (NADD)-certified facility in Kansas, and it has arranged future shows with the North American Dog Sports Association (NADSA), UpDog Challenge and Sky Houndz. The American Kennel Club is also in talks for future shows. In keeping with the industry’s evolving landscape, there is also a growing interest in virtual and hybrid training formats, which may be a possibility for the future.

Flynt framed Emporia as a logical location for a regional dog-sports hub. “This is a major area where people come through for traveling for other dog shows and competitions. So, why not Emporia?” she said, calling the city a convenient stop for competitors and local owners alike.

Beyond events, Flynt highlighted the facility’s instructional goals. “If we can teach dogs how to manage their stress a little bit better, they’re able to learn a lot more, and they’re able to retain that a lot more,” she said, linking stress management to training outcomes. Furthermore, trainers at Heartland Hounds are encouraged to pursue certifications from recognized organizations to ensure quality education, with the capacity for hosting multiple shows annually: “We can do anywhere between three to five of those a year.”

The schedule of classes and the Wellness Center services aim to combine physical conditioning with behavior-focused lessons. Facility organizers say the pools and rehabilitation equipment are intended for clinical and performance uses, supporting dogs with arthritis or those needing targeted therapy.

Heartland Hounds’ opening will add a dedicated venue for obedience, sports and canine wellness in downtown Emporia, with the ribbon cutting and community open house offering the first public look at the converted space.

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