About Us

Providing exceptional dog training, boarding and care since 2013.

Our Story

Midwest Dog Center was founded in 2013 to provide an immediate level of protection for families in the event of a sudden crime. With the current crime trends, slower response time by police, and the ability of the German Shepherd to safely protect citizens, having a well-trained protection dog is a great way to both add to your family and keep everyone safe.

Our mission hasn't changed, but it's grown to include offering our community a safe and caring place to bring their dogs for boarding, doggie day care, grooming  and top-level training for all breeds of dogs. Our campus has expanded along with our mission; in 2023 we moved into our new, state-of-the-art facility, two miles west of our original location and three times as large.

Meet Our Team

Image of Hank Cocking, Lyneisa Cocking founders, Midwest Dog Center

Hank & Lyneisa Cocking

Midwest Dog Center was established by Hank & Lyneisa Cocking in 2013 with the vision of providing a world-class facility for dogs and their owners.

Hank, a retired Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Deputy and K9 Handler Instructor, brings a wealth of experience, having trained handlers and canines since 1991. Lyneisa is the heart of MDC’s daily operations. Together, they are committed to helping you and your dog build a happy, healthy, and lifelong bond.

Image of Riley Klausmeyer, groomer, Midwest Dog Center

Riley Klausmeyer

Riley Klausmeyer is a professional groomer with over 6 years of experience and a passion for personalized styles. She’s spent the last year at MDC building great relationships with pets and their owners.

Riley loves bringing out a dog’s personality through classic cuts or fun, expressive colors. When she’s not at MDC, she and her husband are busy settling into their new home and prepping for their baby boy, arriving this fall.

Girl smiling with brown dog on Midwest Dog Center Team Page

Tory Kane

Tory Kane is a student at Wichita State University dnd a long-time member of the MDC team. For the past 3 years, she’s been a total pro at caring for canines & truly loves being a part of the team.

Tory is also working toward becoming an ASL interpreter and spends most of her free time watching children or hanging out with family & friends.

Image of woman hugging a black dog on Midwest Dog Center

Ady Frye

Ady Frye is one of our awesome team members and a student at Andale High School.

Ady brings the best vibes to the MDC Campus and is always a pleasure to have around!

When she’s not hanging with the pups, she’s usually listening to music or hanging out with her friends and family.


Image of Andruw Cocking on Midwest Dog Center

Andruw Cocking

Andruw Cocking’s lifelong love for German Shepherds—including his own dog, Nena—makes him a natural fit at MDC.

With years of experience, ensuring that every dog on campus receives

top-notch care comes naturally.

Off-duty, Andruw runs his own cleanup business and enjoys lake days with friends and family.

Image of woman hugging a brown dog on Midwest Dog Center

Ady Rausch

Ady Rausch, a student at Garden Plain High School, brings her vibrant energy to the MDC team.

At home, she cares for her own two dogs, and in her free time, she enjoys movies and music.

Ady's favorite part about MDC is definitely all the puppy time—she’s obsessed with playing with the dogs and honestly has the best time with every single one of them!

Image ofJake Cocking with GSD on Midwest Dog Center

Jake Cocking

Meet Jake Cocking, a member of the MDC team who brings a lifelong appreciation for working dogs to our pack. Given his background, it’s no surprise that his favorite breed is the German Shepherd.

When he isn't helping care for the dogs at MDC, you can usually find Jake spending his free time at the lake with his friends and family or out hunting. 

Image of woman hugging a retriever on Midwest Dog Center

Kiya Hill

Kiya Hill is a student at Wichita State University and a wonderful addition to the MDC crew. 

While her favorite breeds are the Great Pyrenees and Golden Retriever, she loves every pup!

For Kiya, the best part of her job at MDC is watching all the dogs’unique personalities mesh together for a fun day of play. 

Image of a woman with a black lab on Midwest Dog Center

Lauren Brittain

Lauren Brittain is a student at Garden Plain High School and a valued member of the MDC team. She’s a huge fan of labs and pit bulls, but she loves getting to see every single dog that comes through our doors! 

Lauren has a blast at MDC with her incredible coworkers and all those daily puppy greetings!

Image of smiling woman with 3 dogs on Midwest Dog Center

Miranda Robben

We are thrilled to have Miranda Robben back at MDC! You might recognize her from her previous time here as a groomer. 

Miranda is a huge fan of Labradors and German Shepherds, and when she isn’t at MDC, she loves heading to the lake with her family and friends or cheering on KU basketball.

Couple holding a dog on Midwest Dog Center

Nikki Love

Nikki Love is a dedicated dog mom and animal enthusiast who genuinely cares for every pup. She juggles two jobs while still making time for family and friends. In her leisure time, Nikki enjoys gardening, canning, and cooking, applying her meticulous attention to detail in these hobbies as well. Her expertise is a huge asset to our team!

Blonde woman holding pug on Midwest Dog Center

Reagan Tanner

Reagan Tanner is a great asset to our pack!

Inspired by her 13-year-old pug, Dirk, Reagan’s caring nature and positive energy make a great impact on the dogs we care for.

Outside of work, Reagan is writing her first book and enjoys baking, exercising, and music.

Woman holding two small dogs in front of a “Meet Our Team” sign

Patty Newby

Meet Patty! Although her husband isn't keen on having a dog at home, Patty found the perfect solution: joining our team at MDC! She now spends her days surrounded by the unconditional love and joy that pups bring. Patty loves on all kinds of dogs, talks to them, and soaks up all the puppy affection. We are so glad to have her, and the dogs clearly feel the same way!

Woman holding a black dog in front of “MEET OUR TEAM” text

Karly Stuhlsatz

Currently a student at Garden Plain High School, Karly Stuhlsatz loves sports and staying active.

She also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and animals. 

Karly has always had a passion for caring for animals, and she plans to turn that lifelong passion into a career as a veterinarian.

Woman holding an Australian Shepherd on Midwest Dog Center

Tori Graves

Tori Graves is a familiar face at MDC, where she supports both our front office operations and hands-on care for our furry friends.

Tori’s time at MDC has ignited a genuine passion for dogs. She has a particular soft spot for Labs, finding their personalities both adorable and hilarious! Outside of work, Tori most enjoys spending quality time with her family.

RESULTS

What you put in is what you get. Nowhere is that more true than with your pet--but sometimes you need a little help. We're proud of the fact that whether they're here for dog training, boarding, grooming, day care or to get a new pup--our clients tell us we're giving them and their dogs the help they need!

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    "I have two extremely high drive dogs. Midwest Dog Center does a phenomenal job of taking care of their needs while boarding them. They do it all at a very reasonable price! I drive 40 minutes out of my way because I trust them with family."

    -Aaron Ottosen
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    "Hank and his family/ staff are very nice and knowledgeable. Hank trained our Rottweiler and he’s a completely different dog, well behaved. I wouldn’t take my dogs anywhere else to get boarded either! Best in town and I know they take good care of our dogs."

    -Dan Neugebauer
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    "We went to Hank with our very nervous and reactive dog, Tucker. We couldn’t take him anywhere without him pulling on the leash -- It was embarrassing. After one private training, we take him everywhere we can in public, without him pulling on his leash what-so ever, and we now get so many compliments on him. One person even said, “your dog is so well behaved.... did you happen to take him to Hank?” without us even mentioning him! Would 10/10 recommend Hank and staff at Midwest Dog Center!"

    -Jaeden Bevan
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    "Midwest Dog Center is THE best.  I’m forever grateful to Hank for figuring out a solution to my rescue Cane Corso’s behavior issues and for teaching me how to manage things at the end of Odie’s stay.  The staff is friendly and welcoming and everyone is down to earth.  You can tell the dogs love it there and I’m definitely taking Odie back for doggie daycare.  I love this place and highly recommend it to anyone who needs a little (or a lot) of help."

    -Brenda Walker Bratt
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    "I have had several of our dogs trained by Hank at Midwest Dog Center and highly recommend their service. I have also purchased several German Shepherd puppies from Midwest Dog Center and can verify that the dogs are not only outstanding in appearance, but also docile in temperament. The 1:1 training has been very effective and the instructor has great rapport with the dogs. Highly recommend Midwest Dog Center!"

    -Frank Rowe
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    "Because my parents had to move into a facility that could better care for them, we ended up with their little poodle.  When we have to travel, we board her at Midwest Dog Center.  Hank and Lyneisa take good care of her.  She's older and is on several medications.  They always follow the complex prescription instructions very carefully.  We are thankful that we have a place that we feel comfortable leaving her."

    -Treisa Bartow Reese