Kristi Kay May is the owner and visionary behind Legend Acres Dog and Horse Solutions and the nationally recognized Legend’s Heroes Service Dog Training Program. Her journey into the world of animal care and training began at an early age and was inspired by a lifelong love of animals, a deep sense of community, and a desire to serve others in meaningful ways.
Originally from the small town of Port Hope, Michigan, where dairy cows outnumber the people, Kristi’s roots are grounded in humble beginnings and rural values. She got her first horse around the age of six and quickly became immersed in the world of horse shows, competitions, and 4-H events. Those early experiences not only shaped her work ethic but also ignited a passion that would carry through her entire life.
After joining the U.S. Army, Kristi had to put her involvement with horses on pause. But that passion was never far from her heart. Once stationed near Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Kristi was finally able to purchase a small farm and reintroduce animals into her daily life. It was here, surrounded by dogs and horses, that she saw a need in the local community for safe, reliable, and affordable pet boarding. That realization led to the creation of Legend Acres Boarding.
What began as a practical solution for her own post-military lifestyle quickly evolved into something much greater. With her unique background in animal science and veterinary technology, Kristi founded Legend Acres Dog and Horse Solutions, a company that now offers a full range of dog training, horse boarding, and behavior consultation services. Soon after, she launched the Legend’s Heroes Service Dog Training Program, designed to support veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities in training their own service animals using accessible, affordable methods.
Kristi's hard work, service, and entrepreneurial spirit recently earned her the prestigious title of 2025 Arizona Vetrepreneur of the Year, an award that celebrates veterans who continue to lead and make a difference in their communities through business. This recognition is a testament to Kristi's dedication to improving the lives of both people and animals. She credits this achievement to her loyal clients and community supporters and extends heartfelt thanks for helping her reach this milestone.
As Kristi moves forward into the next phase of national recognition, your continued support means the world. Help her represent Arizona and the veteran entrepreneur community on a national stage by spreading the word and supporting her mission.
Kristi’s core belief is simple yet powerful: to provide affordable, accessible service dog training to those who need it most. Her programs are designed to empower clients with the tools and knowledge to train their dogs using gentle, effective, and psychologically sound techniques.
“At Legend Acres Dog Training, we understand that your dog is more than a pet, they're family,” says Kristi. “We help you learn how your dog communicates and how they learn so you can build a trusting, two-way relationship.”
Legend Acres offers flexible training options tailored to your lifestyle, including virtual and on-demand classes, private sessions, and group courses. Whether you’re training a new puppy, addressing anxiety or aggression, or starting your service dog journey, Legend Acres has a program that fits.
All trainers at Legend Acres begin their journey as clients. They go through the exact same training programs with their own pets, giving them firsthand experience with the methods they now teach. This approach creates a compassionate, relatable, and supportive environment for every client.
With a strong reputation for using a psychological and behavior-based approach, Legend Acres continues to transform the way families communicate with their dogs. From obedience and cognition classes to full-service behavior management, their mission remains unwavering: to make quality dog training available to everyone.
When Kristi’s not leading her team or training dogs, you’ll find her spending time with her own pups, Legend, Grunt, and Tuff, riding horses, kayaking, or curled up with a good book.
"At Legend Acres Dog Training we understand that your dog is a part of your family."