Dedicated to the Work: Trainer, Teammate, and True Dog Lover — Meet Kristin Morgan

At Faithful Paws, we are incredibly fortunate to have some truly remarkable volunteers and trainers among our members.  These are people who not only love animals but dedicate their time and expertise to bringing out the very best in them. One of those people is Kristin Morgan, our talented lead trainer who guides new therapy teams through their certification journey.

Kristin has more than 14 years of professional experience working with dogs. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA), and an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator — credentials that reflect her deep commitment to ethical, science-based, and compassionate training practices.

Guiding New Therapy Teams with Heart and Expertise

Kristin’s work with Faithful Paws gives new members and their dogs the strong foundation they need to become confident, successful therapy teams. During training sessions, she focuses on building trust, communication, and teamwork between handler and animal — qualities that are essential for making meaningful connections during visits. Her calm, supportive approach helps new members feel comfortable and capable, no matter their background or experience level.

But Kristin’s work with dogs extends far beyond Faithful Paws. In her professional life, she helps owners strengthen their relationships with their pets, overcome behavioral challenges, and better understand how dogs think and learn. In her free time, she continues to do what she loves most — spending time training and competing with her own three dogs.

Meet Emmett, Eugene, and Kerrigan

Her mixed-breed dog, Emmett, has been a Faithful Paws therapy dog since 2021, visiting patients and families at Houston Methodist Hospital Willowbrook campus. Her other mixed-breed dog, Eugene, loves the thrill of competition and shines in the fast-paced world of flyball. And then there’s Kerrigan, her Dutch Shepherd — a dog with a truly extraordinary story.

Kristin adopted Kerrigan from Harris County Pets when she was just over a year old. What began as a foster placement quickly turned into a lifelong bond. Kristin soon realized Kerrigan had an incredible drive to work — the kind of focus, determination, and athleticism that could make her an exceptional search and rescue dog. Within six months, Kerrigan was certified as a human remains detection dog and joined the K-9 Search and Rescue of Texas (K-9 SAR TX) team.

Together, Kristin and Kerrigan have spent the past several years training and deploying to assist law enforcement in missing person and recovery missions. Their work requires rigorous physical conditioning, specialized skills, and a strong emotional resilience. Search and rescue is not glamorous — it is demanding, often emotionally heavy, and always deeply meaningful. For Kristin, it’s a calling. And for the dogs, they are not just skilled; they’re lifesavers who bring comfort and closure when it’s needed most.

A Perfect Example of the Faithful Paws Spirit

What makes Kristin so special to Faithful Paws is how she brings all of that experience — the precision, patience, and compassion required for search and rescue — into her work with therapy teams. She understands how powerful the bond between humans and animals can be, and she helps others tap into that connection to make a positive difference.

Faithful Paws is proud to have Kristin leading our training program, mentoring new volunteers, and representing the spirit of our organization in everything she does. Her dedication reminds us that whether a dog is offering comfort in a hospital room or searching a field to help find the missing, their ability to change lives is nothing short of extraordinary.