đź“ŤAn Urbaanite Nashville Community Directory Partner
Barron Russell is a New Orleans native who made Nashville home after Hurricane Katrina. Nashville is where he would find his love for animals and entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to start Middle TN K9. After receiving his degree in Animal Science, Barron’s career led him into the pet industry, working up to a senior-level role. He would later have an opportunity to work with the State Veterinarian as an AHT (Animal Health Technician). In this role, he was responsible for many animal emergencies, including the bird flu deployment across the state.
For Barron, the love of animals has been a thing since he was a child. As he shares, “I’ve always been an animal person. I found my passion early on when I was about 11 years old. I would go volunteer at the animal shelter in New Orleans and I just kind of fell in love with it.”
This passion led him to start Middle TN K9 in 2015 while working his 9-5. Middle TN K9 is a premier dog training company that focuses on relationship building between dogs and their owners. Using motivational techniques such as food and toy rewards to encourage learning.
“I started Middle TN K9 tto help other dog owners build a better bonding relationship with their dogs”, Barron reflects.
Starting a business has been a journey for him with so many rewards, including being awarded a state contract to grow Middle TN K9. From his initial beginnings of private training to now having locations here in Middle TN and Kentucky, Barron believes the sky is truly the limit.
His services range from puppy training to on-leash and off-leash board and training. As Barron shares, “I’m a dog coach. I want people to leave training with me and take the skills they have learned and keep them for the rest of their lives. Working with us, you may not ever have to hire another dog trainer because you will be able to retain the skills.”
If you have a new puppy or want to improve your dog’s behavior or obedience, make sure to connect with Barron and his team at Middle TN K9.
Photography: Trinity Kendrick (Urbaanite Summer Intern)
To get more guides and stories of the people behind the culture and soul of Nashville, subscribe to our weekly newsletter HERE.
