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Building Leaders Through Balanced Dog Training in Northern VA
Meet Chrystal Pappas
Founder • Certified Animal Behavior Dog Trainer
AKC Judge, CGC Evaluator• Marine Veteran
AKC Judge, CGC Evaluator• Marine Veteran
With decades of hands-on experience training dogs of every breed, background, and temperament, Chrystal Pappas brings a level of leadership, skill, and intuition that sets Keon K9 apart from the rest.
Her foundation began in childhood—shadowing veterinarians and groomers, volunteering with rescues and shelters, and learning to understand dogs long before training became her profession. Over the years, that early passion evolved into a career shaped by discipline, purpose, and extraordinary dedication.
As a United States Marine who served during the Iraq War, Chrystal carries forward the values ingrained in her service: loyalty, structure, clarity, and leadership. These principles form the backbone of her training approach today.
Chrystal is a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College, an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and an AKC Temperament Test (ATT) Judge. Her extended education includes Pet First Aid & CPR, Canine Heat Stroke and Prevention Awareness, Veterinary Support Assistant coursework, and ongoing study in Animal Naturopathy, giving her a deep, well-rounded understanding of canine behavior, health, and emotional wellness.
Her career includes:
- Foundational and advanced obedience
- Behavior modification and confidence-building
- Public-access work for therapy and service dogs
- Puppy-development workshops
- Successful transformations in board-and-train programs
Chrystal is widely known for her ability to connect deeply with dogs and owners. Her methods build trust, communication, and clear leadership—creating confident dogs and empowered handlers. Her work with veterans and service dogs is especially meaningful. Having experienced the impact of a service dog herself, she brings unmatched empathy and expertise to the teams she helps build.
At Keon K9, every dog is trained with purpose, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Whether you’re seeking obedience, behavior rehabilitation, puppy foundations, or advanced training, Chrystal ensures every dog receives the same level of dedication she brought to her military service.
Meet Niko Pappas
Kennel Manager • Groundsman • Canine Care Coordinator
For more than a decade, Niko has been Chrystal’s right hand in the dog-training world — a steady, dependable presence who brings both skill and heart to every dog he works with. As Keon K9’s Kennel Manager and Groundsman, Niko ensures the daily safety, structure, and comfort of every dog in our care, from puppies to seasoned working dogs.
Niko has a natural, intuitive understanding of canine behavior and a calm energy that helps dogs feel secure from the moment they meet him. Whether it’s managing kennel routines, monitoring temperament changes, reinforcing training structure, or keeping the property and facilities running smoothly, Niko is the quiet force that keeps Keon K9 operating at a standard we’re proud of.
His hands-on experience spans years of handling, conditioning, socializing, and caring for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. He takes pride not only in the animals, but in the environment they stay in — maintaining clean, safe, and well-organized kennel spaces and grounds that promote a healthy, low-stress stay.
Dedicated, trustworthy, and deeply invested in the mission of Keon K9, Niko is an irreplaceable part of the team — and a cornerstone of the level of care we provide every
single day.
