About US

MIDWEST BATTLE BUDDIES

SERVING VETERANS, SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

WHO WE ARE

MEET KAYLA, MIDWEST BATTLE BUDDIES' EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kayla Ferguson serves as Executive Director of Midwest Battle Buddies, where she is dedicated to expanding access to highly trained service dogs for veterans in need. With nearly a decade of professional experience in canine training and development, Kayla brings both technical expertise and personal conviction to the organization’s mission.


In 2016, she began her professional career after graduating from Starmark Academy for Dog Trainers. She later earned her NePoPo® Gold certification in 2022, further advancing her knowledge of structured, performance-based training systems. As the owner of Wheatland Dog Center, Kayla has specialized in breeding and training Labrador Retrievers selected for their temperament, stability, and ability to thrive in demanding service roles.


Since 2023, Kayla has worked directly with Midwest Battle Buddies by providing carefully selected service dog prospects and professional training services. As Executive Director, she is focused on building sustainable systems that allow the organization to serve more veterans with excellence and integrity.


Her passion for serving veterans is deeply personal. Kayla works alongside her husband, Trey Ferguson, a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served nine years. Through their family’s experience, she has witnessed the profound difference a properly trained service dog can make in restoring independence, confidence, and quality of life. That understanding fuels her commitment to ensuring every veteran paired through the organization receives a capable, reliable, and purpose-driven canine partner.

KAYLA FERGUSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WHO WE ARE

MEET KAYLA, MIDWEST BATTLE BUDDIES' EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kayla Ferguson serves as Executive Director of Midwest Battle Buddies, where she is dedicated to expanding access to highly trained service dogs for veterans in need. With nearly a decade of professional experience in canine training and development, Kayla brings both technical expertise and personal conviction to the organization’s mission.


In 2016, she began her professional career after graduating from Starmark Academy for Dog Trainers. She later earned her NePoPo® Gold certification in 2022, further advancing her knowledge of structured, performance-based training systems. As the owner of Wheatland Dog Center, Kayla has specialized in breeding and training Labrador Retrievers selected for their temperament, stability, and ability to thrive in demanding service roles.


Since 2023, Kayla has worked directly with Midwest Battle Buddies by providing carefully selected service dog prospects and professional training services. As Executive Director, she is focused on building sustainable systems that allow the organization to serve more veterans with excellence and integrity.


Her passion for serving veterans is deeply personal. Kayla works alongside her husband, Trey Ferguson, a disabled U.S. Army veteran who served nine years. Through their family’s experience, she has witnessed the profound difference a properly trained service dog can make in restoring independence, confidence, and quality of life. That understanding fuels her commitment to ensuring every veteran paired through the organization receives a capable, reliable, and purpose-driven canine partner.

KAYLA FERGUSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OUR VALUES
  • Providing high-quality service dogs, including proper care, feeding, training, and housing.
  • Guaranteeing impeccable stewardship of all financial and capital assets.
  • Modeling unwavering ethical standards.
OUR VISION

To be the premier provider and trainer of service dogs for veterans in South Central Kansas.

our mission

To improve the health and well-being of veterans with PTS, TBI, and other disabilities by providing and training service dogs at no cost to the veteran.

OUR VALUES
  • Providing high-quality service dogs, including proper care, feeding, training, and housing.
  • Guaranteeing impeccable stewardship of all financial and capital assets.
  • Modeling unwavering ethical standards.
OUR VISION

To be the premier provider and trainer of service dogs for veterans in South Central Kansas.

our mission

To improve the health and well-being of veterans with PTS, TBI, and other disabilities by providing and training service dogs at no cost to the veteran.

OUR TEAM

MEET OUR TRAINERS

WHEATLAND DOG CENTER

Wheatland Dog Center logo

Wheatland Dog Center was founded by Kayla Ferguson. Kayla began her professional dog training career in 2016 after attending Starmark School for Dog Trainers. Since then, she has had the pleasure of working with hundreds of dogs, specializing in puppy raising, retriever training, and dealing with aggression and other major behavioral issues.


Kayla is an active member of IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals), a registered Good Dog Breeder, and a NePoPo Silver School grad.


 Wheatland Dog Center is currently located on a 20 acre farm just outside of Derby, Kansas . 

VISIT WHEATLAND

Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs (AGS)

AGS logo

Aggie Guide-Dogs and Service-Dogs (AGS) is a student-run organization at Texas A&M University.


Their mission is to educate about, fundraise for, promote the training and use of service dogs, and to increase awareness about how these animals help the individuals with disabilities.


We partner with AGS for first-year training in cases where puppy care and training may be too much for our intended recipient. AGS will complete the first year of training, and when the dog graduates, they come to Wichita to finish training with their veteran.

VISIT AGS

Family DOG TRAINING & BEHAVIORAL CENTER

Silhoette of a boy and puppy playing. Text: Family Dog Training & Behavioral Center

Family Dog Training is owned and operated by Kelly Spencer, CPDT-KA.


Kelly is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, an IAABC Supporting member, a certified Evaluator for Therapy Dogs International (TDI) and AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC) and a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT).


In addition to therapy dog training, Family Dog Training offers puppy and obedience training, as well as specialized training classes for agility, tricks, and behavioral issues.

VISIT FAMILY DOG

V

VOLUNTEERS

MAKE IT

POSSIBLE

our TEAM

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteers are the heart of any charitable organization, and Midwest Battle Buddies is no exception.  We appreciate all your hard work!


Do you love dogs, and care about veterans? Consider volunteering with us!

Click the button below for more information.

VOLUNTEER

V

VOLUNTEERS

MAKE IT

POSSIBLE

our TEAM

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteers are the heart of any charitable organization, and Midwest Battle Buddies is no exception.  We appreciate all your hard work!


Do you love dogs, and care about veterans? Consider volunteering with us!

Click the button below for more information.

VOLUNTEER