A trusted place for Roanoke Valley dogs since 2005.

Field of Dreams was founded on a simple idea: dogs do their best work when learning is engaging, fair, and fun. Two decades later, that’s still how we run the place.

Day school regular Styx

Learning should be engaging and fun for the learner.

We believe that learning must always be engaging and fun for the learner — and should never require the use of aversive tools. Every program we run, from playgroups in the day school to agility courses to private lessons, is built on positive reinforcement.

No corrections. No force. Just clear communication, lots of praise, and plenty of small wins along the way. That’s not just philosophy — it’s how dogs (and people) actually learn best.

The same principles, across every program

Positive reinforcement, always

We reward what we want to see and ignore what we don’t. Scientifically proven, kinder, and more effective.

Small groups, real attention

Five dogs or less in day school playgroups. Limited spots in classes. Every dog gets the focus they deserve.

Built for every dog

Pure-bred, mixed-breed, young, old, social butterfly, or shy introvert — we’ll meet your dog where they are.

Karen Hough

For Karen Hough, owning Field of Dreams is a dream come true — and one she’s spent her whole life preparing for.

“Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.”

Her parents raised Schnauzers, and her first dog was a stray she found at a dump site in Las Cruces, New Mexico, as a child. Through her teenage years she raised and trained horses — picking up the patient, observation-based approach that would later define her work with dogs.

In her twenties she turned her focus to dog training, and it’s been her work — and her passion — ever since.

In 1995, Karen co-founded the Star City Canine Club, her first venture into the world of dog training as a profession. She then spent four-and-a-half years as Director of Training for the Saint Francis Service Dog Foundation, where she developed the service dog training program, puppy classes, recipient training, and a prison-pup-partnership program.

In 2005, she opened Field of Dreams full-time — first in space rented from St. Francis, and later at the current location at 223 W. Jackson Avenue in Vinton, where the business has been for over a decade.

“Pursuing my life’s passion of dog training enticed me to explore some interesting paths and rewarding opportunities working with exceptional people and dogs.”

As Field of Dreams grew, Karen brought on qualified staff to manage the day school and built up the agility program herself. She’s now a nationally ranked NADAC competitor with her own dogs, most recently taking home a 2025 National Championship in the X-Large division.

Karen also serves as a NADAC judge — a role that requires deep familiarity with the sport’s rules, course design, and judging standards. It’s a credential that very few agility instructors hold, and it means students at Field of Dreams are learning from someone helping shape the sport itself.

Always learning

Continuing education is a core part of how Karen runs the business. She regularly attends the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Annual Conference, Clicker Expo, and the Clean Run Instructor Conference — bringing back fresh thinking to share with students and staff.

She also helped the Roanoke Valley SPCA launch their Open Paw program, designed to help shelter dogs develop the skills they need to become more adoptable.

Karen shares her life with her husband and three competition dogs.

223 W. Jackson Avenue, Vinton, VA

Field of Dreams operates out of a dedicated facility in Vinton, just east of Roanoke. Our space includes a classroom, training spaces, multiple outdoor enclosures, and a quiet room for our Introverts program.

Come see for yourself — tours are drop-in Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Have questions?  We’d love to chat.

Stop by, give us a call, or send us a note.

Plan a visit
540-345-3647