About Koda’s Place
Koda’s Place was founded in 2024 by Marine Corps veteran Dawn Pierce after the passing of her beloved service dog, Koda, in October 2023.
Koda was more than a working dog - he was pure joy wrapped in fur. Everyone who met him felt his light. As he transitioned into retirement before Dawn relocated from New York to North Carolina, the two spent their weeks visiting an assisted living center in Stony Brook, NY, where Koda spent his afternoons bringing comfort and smiles to his friends there.
He enjoyed a happy retirement in the mountains of North Carolina starting in June 2023. Just four months later, everything changed. Koda went into sudden respiratory distress and was rushed to Chattanooga for emergency care. After a long night of testing while he rested, veterinarians discovered a tumor crushing his trachea. At only eight years old, in the late hours of October 24, 2023, Koda was laid to rest.
Learning to navigate the world without a vital life line and wanting to keep Koda’s memory alive to continue sharing the spark of joy her boy brought to everyone. Dawn had a vision and Koda’s Place was born.
With two goals in mind, she set out to honor Koda’s life and continue giving back. As Dawn often says, “Words cannot describe how much was given to me when Koda and I were paired together.”
Today, Koda’s Place carries that gratitude forward by donating 2% of all sales to a local animal shelter. As the business grows, Dawn hopes to sponsor service dogs like Koda, so another veteran or first responder can experience the same life-changing partnership.
“Words cannot describe how much was given to me when Koda and I were paired together.”
-Dawn Pierce
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
At Koda’s Place, our mission is to help dogs and their people build confident, lasting partnerships through thoughtful training, clear communication, and compassionate guidance. We believe every dog deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in an environment where they feel safe, understood, and supported.
Our training focuses on meeting each dog where they are. By helping owners understand their dog’s behavior, environment, and needs, we empower them with the tools to create structure, trust, and balance within their home. Training is not just about teaching commands — it is about building a relationship that allows both dog and owner to succeed together.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create stronger communities by strengthening the bond between dogs and their families. Through education, responsible training practices, and ongoing support, Koda’s Place aims to help dogs stay in loving homes and reduce the number of animals entering shelters due to preventable behavioral challenges.
In honor of Koda, the service dog who inspired it all, Koda’s Place is committed to giving back. A portion of every product sale supports local animal shelters, and the company strives to sponsor service dogs that will go on to change lives, just as Koda once did.
Our Trainers
Meet the heart and soul behind Koda’s Place, where veteran experience and a compassionate heart drive every training session.
Dawn Pierce
Founder & Trainer
Dawn Pierce is the founder of Koda’s Place, a veteran-owned training company dedicated to helping dogs and their people build strong, confident partnerships.
With a background in the United States military, Dawn brings a calm, structured, and observant approach to her work with dogs and their owners. Her training style focuses on clear communication, environmental awareness, and building trust between dog and handler. Much like the discipline and teamwork required in military service, Dawn believes successful training is built on consistency, patience, and mutual understanding.
Dawn’s journey into professional dog training was shaped by her work with her own service dog, Koda. Through years of hands-on training, handling, and behavioral work, she developed a deep appreciation for how powerful the bond between a dog and their human can be when both are given the right tools to succeed. After Koda’s passing, Dawn founded Koda’s Place to honor his legacy and to continue helping other dogs and owners grow together.
Over the years, Dawn has worked with dogs of all ages, breeds, and personalities, helping clients navigate challenges such as house training, confidence building, anxiety support, reactivity, and behavior modification. Her approach focuses on meeting each dog where they are, understanding their environment, and guiding owners so they feel confident and capable working with their own dogs.
Dawn believes that training is not about creating perfect dogs — it’s about creating strong partnerships between dogs and the people who love them.
Through Koda’s Place, she is proud to support the local community and give back to animals in need. A portion of all product sales from Koda’s Place is donated to local animal shelters, and the company’s mission includes sponsoring a service dog each year in honor of Koda.