Meet Julie Montilla | Dog Trainor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Montilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have a long and successful career in dog training and agility. I earned my MS degree in animal science with a focus on dog behavioral studies and have been training and competing with dogs for 47 years.
Early in my dog training career, I gravitated toward agility because, at the time, it was one of the only
dog activities that used only positive training methods. Agility became my passion. I competed at high
levels with other people’s dogs before working with my own dog, Ace, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and the
namesake of the school.

In May 2020, my corporate job relocated me to Phoenix, AZ. I tried out various places for agility classes
and noticed there was not an indoor training program with a focus on the amazing bond that learning as
an agility team brings for both handler and dog. Dog agility is unique because success is measured by
the dog and handler team, not just the performance of the dog in a task. This learning and growing
together, and the bond that forms, is what interests me most when teaching agility. I wanted to create
a space where dog and handler teams could learn and progress together rather than the dog just
learning to use equipment. So, I opened and grew Ace’n Agility which is now the largest indoor agility
training school in Phoenix. In addition to the unique curriculum, focused on both handler and dog, we
have an indoor, climate-controlled space large enough to train on full size equipment and run full
courses. It was important to me to have this indoor space so that teams could train year-round because
the heat in the Valley limits outdoor agility for a significant portion of the year. I recently acquired a
second suite to house our Foundations and skills classes so that we can offer more classes.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Ace’n Agility stands out in several ways. One way is the instruction. I have 47 years successfully competing and training dogs and people in the sport of agility. I can apply that experience and
knowledge to varying situations and challenges and adapt methods for the needs of a specific team or
dog. My curriculum is never static. It focuses on teaching people to work as a team with their dogs
rather than just teaching their dogs to perform a task.

The facility itself is the largest indoor agility training center in the Phoenix area and it has the square
footage required to run full courses and utilize full size equipment. Because it is indoor and climate-
controlled, we can train all year round regardless of weather while outdoor agility in Phoenix stops in
the summer.

The number of students has been steadily growing despite limited time and resources for marketing the
business. The growth has come mostly from the positive word of mouth from my students. I am
immensely proud that I have been able to bring this level of joy and bonding to people and their dogs.
Creating this connection and amazing bond between people and their dogs is why I do what I do, and
this is what I would most like people to know about my business.

The main challenges to the business have been time and business costs. I currently work a full-time
corporate job weekdays and then I work long days teaching classes at Ace’n Agility every weekend and
many weeknights. I also clean and maintain the facility on my own. Business costs are challenging from
air conditioning in the hot summers to the purchase of special flooring and equipment.

I am very excited that we just added a second facility for our Foundations and Skills classes and a group
of wonderful new coaches. This will allow us to offer more classes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think you have probably learned about me by this point in the interview that I am a pretty busy woman! Outside of my corporate day job I eat, sleep and live agility. My business and my students are
truly my passion, and all of my time is spent on that, so I do not get out much. If a great friend came to
visit I am certain we would be doing agility!

Arizona is a beautiful state with so much to offer. I would encourage anyone that visits to explore the
many food options and the beautiful outdoors that draw so many visitors annually. In spring and fall
there are so many wonderful outdoor events and festivals to enjoy. A favorite of ours at Ace’n Agility is
Barktoberfest hosted by Friends for Life Animal Rescue in Gilbert, AZ in October each year. They offer all
sorts of fun activities for your dog as well as contests and wonderful vendors and it all goes to raise
money in support of the shelter.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people that have contributed along the way and helped me to arrive where I am now and I have met so many wonderful people through the love of agility. My friend and mentor, Caryl who
introduced me to agility since that is where this journey started for me. Along the way I learned and
competed with many incredible people.

I would like to dedicate this shoutout though to my wonderful daughter, Erica. She has helped me
through this journey every step of the way. She has supported my goals and aspirations whether it was
through providing comfort and advice on a rough day or cleaning windows and installing agility mats…
she has been there through it all.

Website: http://acenagility.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acenagilitytrainingcenter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcenAgility/

Other: Email: julie@acenagility.com