Colton Rivers has dedicated his professional life to serving vulnerable communities, beginning in Kansas foster care and evolving into decades of work in animal welfare. Since 2004, he has volunteered and worked with equine rescues, shelters, and behavior programs for dogs and cats.

 

His journey into canine behavior began with Jack, a red heeler mix rescued from a reservation. Jack had a bite history and significant reactivity—but also became Colton’s greatest teacher. After Jack’s passing in 2023, Colton committed to honoring his legacy by continuing to support the kinds of dogs others often give up on.

 

Colton earned his CPDT-KSA certification in 2010 through PetSmart Academy. In 2021, he joined The Pet Connection team, initially serving at our Raytown, MO facility before transitioning to our sanctuary in Beloit, KS. There, Colton works daily with dogs who need behavioral rehab—often those considered unadoptable—providing both care and training as part of a collaborative team.

 

Colton previously taught Puppy Classes at our Lenexa location and continues to be a trusted resource for families navigating behavior challenges. His ability to build trust, especially with dogs facing serious behavioral hurdles, is part of what makes him such a valuable part of our mission.

 

Colton lives in Kansas with his husband, James Rivers, and their two dogs, two cats, and a quirky little horse named Bugatti.