A man standing on the first-place podium with a German Shepherd dog at a dog competition or award ceremony. The man is holding a framed photo and standing beside the dog, which is sitting on the podium. Behind them, there are American flags and a banner with a German Shepherd. The podium is decorated with flowers.

Get to know Master Trainer, Kevin Lanouette


Founder, South Garden Service Dogs

35+ Years of Training • Champion Breeder • Advocate for Families, Children & Service Dogs

Kevin Lanouette has spent more than 35 years doing what he was born to do — helping people discover the confidence, peace, and security that comes from a well-trained dog. His journey began in the Boston area with a German Shepherd named Cozy, the dog who sparked a lifelong passion for training and the belief that dogs change people’s lives in profound ways.

Today, Kevin is recognized as a Master Trainer with deep expertise in:

  • Service Dog Training

  • Residential Training

  • Obedience Training

  • Protection Training

  • Schutzhund/IGP Competition Training

He works with all breeds and ages, but his heart belongs to German Shepherds — a breed he has been training and breeding since 1986.

A Life Devoted to Training — And to Helping People

Men and women standing on podiums with German Shepherd dogs after a dog competition, with a trophy above them, American flags, and banners in the background, flower arrangements in front.

A Champion on the Field — and a Teacher at Heart

Kevin has competed at the highest levels of Schutzhund and IGP, gaining invaluable experience from trainers around the world. His dogs — and his training — have earned a place on national and international stages.

Notable achievements include:

  • 2006 & 2007 New England Regional Schutzhund Champion

  • 2007 USA FCI World Team – Turin, Italy

  • 2008 USA FCI World Team – Wavre, Belgium

  • 2009 GSD Masters World Tournament

  • 2010 New England Regional Champion

  • 2011 World Team Qualification – 1st Place

  • 2011 FCI USA World Team – Rheine, Germany

  • 2011 WSUV USA World Team – Kiev, Ukraine

These accomplishments reflect not just talent, but decades of discipline, humility, and dedication to the craft.

The Heart Behind the Work

Anyone who meets Kevin quickly sees that training isn’t a job to him — it’s a calling.

He believes every person, especially every child, deserves the peace, confidence, and unconditional love that a good dog brings into a home. His life experiences, challenges, and triumphs have shaped a mission bigger than training:

To give families hope. To give children courage. And to give people the chance to feel the same love that changed his life.

And yes — he still talks to his dogs with a Boston accent.

South Garden Service Dogs: Built On Purpose

At South Garden, Kevin continues his lifelong commitment to producing balanced, confident, dependable dogs — whether for service, protection, companionship, or competition.

But more than anything, he continues doing what has always come naturally:

Helping people find healing, strength, and connection through the remarkable loyalty of a dog.

For more than 20 years, Kevin owned and operated Abby Kennels in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, a full-service facility known for producing exceptional dogs and dependable training results. In 2023, he moved to Virginia and founded South Garden Service Dogs, continuing his mission with a renewed focus on service dogs for children, families, and individuals seeking emotional support, structure, and companionship.

Kevin doesn’t just train dogs. He teaches connection. He builds trust. And he helps people become the strongest version of themselves through the steady, healing presence of a well-trained dog.

A man wearing sunglasses, a blue cap, and a navy jacket standing on a sandy area with tall grass in the background. He is holding a large trophy between two German Shepherd dogs, one sitting on the left and the other kneeling on the right. The dog on
A person and a German Shepherd dog training on a grassy field with agility equipment, with city buildings and advertisements in the background.
A person watching a German Shepherd dog jump over a blue obstacle in a grassy field during a training or competition event.
A dog jumping over a blue obstacle on a grassy field during a dog agility training or competition. A person stands nearby watching the dog.
A man training a black German Shepherd police dog on a grassy field, with advertising boards in the background.
A man walking on a grassy field with a German Shepherd dog, with a sports field background and a yellow '400' sign on the fence.
Man with a dog on a grassy field, with cars parked in the background.
Man walking a German Shepherd dog on a grassy field during a dog training or competition event.
A man running on a grassy field with a German Shepherd dog during a training exercise, holding a bite sleeve.
A man smiling and giving a thumbs-up while standing on a grassy field with a German Shepherd sitting next to him. The man wears a vest with a dog silhouette and the number 15, and outdoors trees are visible in the background.
A man training a German Shepherd puppy on a sports field with stadium seating in the background.
A man with dark hair and a black shirt walking with a German Shepherd on a grassy field, possibly during dog training or a competition.
Woman in pink and black jacket training a German Shepherd dog outdoors on a grassy field.
Group of five people with German Shepherd dogs participating in a dog show or competition outdoors on a grassy field, with houses and trees in the background.
A man with a German Shepherd dog practicing protection training on a grassy field with another man observing.
A man standing on a grassy field with a German Shepherd dog lying on the ground. Two agility tunnels are in the background, one green and one blue, with a person setting up the blue tunnel.
A man and a dog on a grassy field with agility training equipment, including an A-frame obstacle, in an urban outdoor setting with city buildings in the background.
A police dog is jumping over an agility obstacle while a trainer supervises on a grassy field. City buildings are visible in the background, along with advertising signs and a clear sky.

Schedule your dog’s initial session for free

If you're considering enrolling your dog in our training program, the first step is to schedule an initial assessment. During this session, Kevin will evaluate your dog's behavior, temperament, and training needs to create a personalized training plan — a $120 value, completely risk free to you.

To set up an initial assessment, simply give us a call or send us an email to book a convenient time slot. We understand that every dog is unique, and we approach each assessment with care and attention to detail.

Call now