Meet the Team

Our dogs are trained by Dr. William “Bill” Ellinger in Phoenix, Arizona. Bill has over three decades of extensive experience in training Police K9’s, Executive Protection dogs, Family Protection dogs, Personal Protection dogs and Service Dogs and excels in training all disciplines.

Caitlin has worked and trained with nonprofit programs promoting therapy dogs in schools and veterans’ hospitals and has seen first-hand the ways that dogs create noticeable peace of mind and happiness for the people they interact with.

Michael Coughlin is a Marine Corps veteran with extensive knowledge and experience in training dogs. Along with Colton White, Michael Coughlin leads canine matching and placement, handler training, and school onboarding.

Caleb brings a strong background in military, law enforcement, and K9 handling to his role with Kids Best Friends. His lifelong passion for working with dogs and his commitment to service drive his mission to create a safer environment for students, faculty, and families.

Travis has dedicated his career to K9 handling and security, starting as an Improvised Device Detection Dog (IDD) handler in the USMC. After pursuing a degree in criminal justice, he spent several years in the private sector, providing explosive detection support for high-profile clients like Google and the NFL. He remains focused on his passion for K9 security and keeping communities safe.

Ashley Whelchel is a dedicated wife, mother, and Airborne Army Combat veteran who brings a wealth of experience to Kids Best Friends. She spent the first four years of her 10-year United States Army service as a Military Police Officer, where she honed her skills in law enforcement and community policing.

Colton White joined Kids Best Friends after years of leading the Integrity K9 Services Owner and Handler Division. Along with Michael Coughlin, Colton leads canine matching and placement, handler training, and school onboarding.