K9 Connection Staff
Tyler Muto – Owner, Training Director
Tyler started K9 Connection in 2007 to fulfill his dream of helping dogs and owners live harmonious lives together. Tyler oversees and develops the training programs at K9 Connection, and works diligently to advance our training techniques and coach the staff.
Additionally, Tyler travels the world teaching seminars to other professional trainers who want to improve their skills and learn the secrets of our success. Tyler also serves as the President of the International Association of Canine Professionals. In 2015 Tyler was selected to be an instructor for Leerburg Online University, one of the most well respected and prestigious web-based dog training companies. His personal Pack includes Lobo (Belgian Malinois), Charlie (terrier mix) and Ella (terrier mix). In addition to training dogs, Tyler also enjoys hiking, kung fu, meditation, and spending time with his family. Tyler personally coaches all the staff at K9 Connection, and directs all the training programs. He is not currently accepting new clients.
Amy Cappelli – General Manager
Though Amy’s background is in illustration and Design, she has always had a fascination with dogs. She began fostering dogs for the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter which piqued her interest in dog behavior and behavior modification. While dealing with a particularly difficult foster dog, she sought the guidance of K9 Connection and was inspired by the leadership that turned an “un-adoptable” dog into a family companion. Since that time, Amy has strived to help others build stronger relationships with their canine companions.
Amy lives in Buffalo with her four children and a menagerie of animals, which includes a tiny pack of rescue dogs.
Abby Rogers – Dog Trainer – Board and Train – Office
Kim Kocol – Dog Trainer – Board and Train, Private Lessons
Cait Adams – Dog Trainer – Board and Train, Private Lessons
Cait has been working with dogs for the last several years and has always known she has wanted to work with them. The opportunity to work with us came up and she jumped at the chance to further her education in training. She lives with a small zoo: two dogs, Aurora and Atticus, four cats, and a husband. In her free time, she enjoys reading, doing a variety of crafts, and being outside with her dogs!
Tracy Woodruff – Dog Trainer – Private Lessons, Group Classes
Tracy’s childhood dog was a German Shepherd named Sarge, and as a quiet, shy kid, all of her time was spent with him! This is where her love of dog training began–as well as horses, cats, the kitchen sink! After an apprenticeship at K9 Connection in 2015-16, Tracy took time off to learn and came back to us as a CGC Certified Evaluator, currently studying for the Canine Fitness Certification, and has plans to become a TDI Evaluator. Right now, Tracy has her working rough collie I Know You Ryder, a black mouth cur Tennessee Jed, a redbone coonhound mix Scarlet Begonias, and a part-time doodle named Hudson. Throw two cats, Hank and Ernie, into the mix, and there ya go! Specializing in private lessons and group classes, Tracy loves helping to put the puzzle pieces together when it comes to your relationship with your dog!
Lexi Chase – Enrichment Trainer
Chris Russell – Enrichment Trainer

Coming from a documentary and film background, Jake never expected to find himself in the dog world! However, making training videos, working with the dogs, and documenting life at K9 Connection is now one of his passions. You can find Jake hanging out with his grumpy, old shih tzu, Po Boi, in the office working on all sorts of media content for the K9 Connection crew.
Jake graduated from La Salle University in Philly with a Mass Media and Digital Art degree, working in the city for three years producing documentaries that profiled innovators in the Greater Philadelphia area. After finishing the 18 part docuseries, Jake moved back to Buffalo to be closer to family and happened to fall into the K9 Connection position! It’s been “dog”umentaries ever since!
Barb Lenahan – Hall of Fame Dog Trainer – Group Classes
Barb has had a lifetime of loving and working with her own dogs, and has been training dogs professionally for over fifteen years. In addition to working privately with owners and their dogs to solve problems, Barb has been teaching Puppy, Basic and Advanced Obedience, Scent Work, Rally, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy International preparation classes. Barb is certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and also as a Therapy Dog International Evaluator. She currently owns three Dobermans, and has been successful in the obedience ring, achieving many AKC and other working titles.
Together with Dobermans she volunteers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, bringing support, comfort and companionship to patients, families and staff.
Charles has been with K9 Connection since its inception. He has worked his way through training to hold the prestigious title of Quality Control Manager. He takes pride in his stern evaluations of clients and the treats used in our training sessions. He can be found working at the front desk most days, but enjoys down time with his owners, as well as his human and canine siblings.