New dog agility and obedience training facility opens in downtown Wasilla

WASILLA — Bell Creek Agility and Obedience, LLC owner Patti Engleman recently opened the doors to her new facility in downtown Wasilla, located right in front of Mat-Su Central School.

“I enjoy coming to work. It’s like going home for me, having fun with the dogs and the people,” Engleman said.

Engleman’s homegrown dog training business has been around for over four years, but this is the first time she’s operated from her own facility.

Prior to the grand opening, she rented space on a ranch. She said that her team of trainers with an ever-growing list of clients eventually outgrew the rental space altogether.

“We needed to have a place of our own,” Engleman said.

It’s been two weeks since they moved to the new location. Local dog owners regularly cycle through the facility, enjoying the wide-open arena and training gear all tucked away from the elements.

Engleman’s company is named after her first competitive dog and late longtime companion, Bell Creek, or Bell for short. Bell was a yellow lab and Engleman’s best friend for most of her life. She has plenty of fond memories to look back on. She said Bell was one of the happiest and friendliest dogs you could ever meet.

“She wanted me the most,” Engleman said with a laugh. “She was my constant companion from nine to 24.”

Engleman said that after Bell died, she took a long break before she was ready for other dogs. Now she has five.

“... And then I started collecting,” Engleman said with a laugh.

Engleman said that she’s happy to enter this new chapter in her life, and this new milestone for her team and the community of local dog trainers.

“It’s a little terrifying but it’s good,” Engleman said with a laugh. “It’s a wonderful feeling to walk in and know this is ours.”

Engleman said that she focuses her instruction on agility while the other trainers teach other classes like obedience.

Engleman said that training dogs to compete to the best of their ability forms a bond like no other. She said it’s obvious with her dogs or seeing other people with theirs, saying that it’s like they know what the dogs are thinking just by looking at them.

“I like the bond that develops out there,” Engleman said.

Currently working with about 80 students of all ages, small classes for more intimate and hands-on learning experience.

“It makes such a big difference,” Engleman said.

Engleman said there’s a lot of comradery among the clients and with the team of trainers. The common denominator? The love of dogs.

“People enjoy dogs,” Engleman said. “I’ve met a lot of great dogs and a lot of great people over the years.”

Engleman’s goals moving forward are to maintain a safe place for dogs and their owners to thrive and continue growing their range of services.

“Demand for classes and workshops has steadily increased over the last couple of years, so we’re excited to bring all of our classes and students together under one roof,” Engleman said.

To learn more about Bell Creek and updates on upcoming classes and workshops, call 907-631-0773, visit bellcreek.net, or look them up on Facebook.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com