About Us
Meet our fantastic team of expert dog trainers and caregivers, and see what makes Hightest Kennels such a fantastic place for dogs to stay and learn!
Jim & Teal Knapp
Owners
Jim & Teal purchased Hightest in 2018 with the intention of carrying on the tradition of quality training and breeding that Hightest has become renowned for. Prior to purchasing Hightest, Jim and Teal owned Wyman Creek Kennel, a dog training/boarding facility also located in Butte County. They successfully trained dogs for obedience, agility, search and rescue, and hunting.
Teal is a nationally recognized Senior Licensed Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Instructor (GDOMI). She worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind from 1990-2013, training more than 3,000 dogs for blind and visually impaired handlers.
Jim is an agriculture teacher at Las Plumas High School in Oroville. He has been teaching agriculture at LP for over 25 years and operates the farming operation both at Hightest and on the family farm. Jim is an avid bird and big game hunter. He has trained his personal retrievers to hunt for more than thirty years.
Our Staff
Bailey
Puppy Building Manager/Trainer
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Bailey's Bio
Bailey has had a big heart for animals since childhood. She currently hunts over her own Labrador during duck season and Hound dogs during raccoon season. She enjoys experiencing each dogs development, start to finish, and is dedicated to getting the optimum result with her dogs in training. Bailey became the Puppy Building Manger in 2018 and thrives on raising our puppies, ensuring they are of the best health and temperament before they are placed in loving homes. Bailey joined our training team in 2017 and has successfully placed 5 active Diabetic Alert Service dogs across the nation.
Melissa
Kennel Manager / Green Dog Scent Detection
Melissa's Bio
Melissa is our beloved Kennel Manager. She has an amazing eye for detail and keeps our facilities in outstanding shape which is why she was promoted to oversee all daily happenings at Hightest since 2018. Every dog boarded and trained at our kennel is under the direct supervision of Melissa. Recently she has been participating in AKC Scent Trials with her Labrador Wylde, and establishing a new program at Hightest directed around scent detection. You can also find Melissa in our breeding facilities assisting with the care of our puppies and breeding stock.
Anna
DAD/Obedience Trainer/Gun Dog Trainer/ Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Anna's Bio
Anna comes to us with a wealth of experience and knowledge of bird dogs. Her father, long time trainer and field judge – Gary Breitbarth, ignited her passion for dog training. From a young age Anna has been attending and handling Spaniels at field trials throughout the West coast & Midwest.
Anna joined our training team in 2021 and immediately immersed herself in learning many techniques and branches of K-9 training including obedience, service dog tasks, scent detection, and the occasional trick or two! She and her Labrador – Cane have been very successful in AKC hunt tests and scent detection trials recently.
Anna’s dedication to teaching both dogs and their owners has made quite an impression with clients, earning her many referrals. Her honesty and easy communication skills give great confidence to our clients while they learn how to handle their dogs in training.
Sierra
Apprentice Trainer
Shantelle
Obedience Trainer
Emma
Apprentice Trainer
James
Kennel Worker
Our Modern Kennel Facility
Located in the heart of “California Duck Country”, our climate controlled kennel is situated on 80 acres of ponds and grasslands, allowing us to train at various locations throughout the property. The hunting dogs are transported for airing and daily workouts on custom dog trucks. Our obedience dogs are aired on and off leash after their sessions. This allows us to focus on loose leash walking and good behavior in all settings. For those dogs interested, a swim in the pond typically ends the day.
We consider ourselves a “Vacation Destination for Dogs.” Whether it’s a weekend getaway or a full training program, our professional staff, manicured grounds, and comfortable kennel facility is here to serve your dog’s training and recreational needs.
