Kirstin McMillan is a third generation animal trainer. At age 15 her father (the grandson of a successful racehorse trainer in Northern England) went to the circus when it came to nearby Liverpool and said he'd never come back. A year later he came back and took his younger brother along with him. Touring the world with the circus, the young men found themselves doing a show in sunny Los Angeles where Kirstin’s father and mother first met. Attending the circus, her mother was given an elephant ride by the young man who would become her husband.

By the time Kirstin was born, her mother was training animals for the circus as well, and soon Kirstin was put to work as Ringling Bros.’ littlest clown. After leaving the circus, her family successfully branched into training animals for the film industry giving Kirstin and her two brothers the chance to live in Southern California, Florida, New England, Louisiana & Hawaii.

Kirstin gained extensive experience with many endangered species including everything from Bengal tigers and African elephants to wolves and primates. By the time she was twenty-two, Kirstin was serving as not only Animal Wrangler but often the Animal Coordinator on major productions, working with renowned celebrities including Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Scarlett Johansson, Johnny Knoxville, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Elton John, Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis and many, many more.

From training jungle animals to working in the jungle of Hollywood
Kirstin has continually demonstrated her abilities as not only trainer but that of a teacher. As a co-founder of the Hollywood Animals Exotic Animal Training Academy (one of three hands-on training programs in the country) and the Exotic Animal Adventure Seminars for the Learning Annex, Kirstin has provided not only the general public with intimate, hands-on experiences with endangered species, but also taught other handlers and zookeepers from all over the world modern animal training technique and husbandry. It is in this intimate setting where Kirstin feels she gets her greatest rewards from.

A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Kirstin began putting her teaching and training skills to work for animals in domestic situations after much urging when she formed Dog Club LA three years ago. Gaining notoriety for taking on the most seemingly hopeless of dog behavior cases, Kirstin’s reputation as a highly skilled, experienced and instinctually gifted animal trainer and behaviorist is solid.

Teaching Kids Kirstin's current passion is to increase the sensitivity and awareness of inner-city children as to the nature and needs of their four-legged best friends by teaching them to train, communicate with and understand their own dogs. “ I have been gifted with so many privileged experiences with the animal kingdom and feel like it’s my honor and responsibility to give them a voice. With so many pet owners, why not begin there, where I can offer the greatest positive impact for our best friends?”