Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Wesley Ryan of Columbus

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Wesley Ryan. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Wesley, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? When was the last time you felt true joy?
Joy is a daily experience at Performance Dogs of Ohio. We get to play with our best friends, our dogs, every single day. Watching one of our four-legged companions grasp a new concept or master a trick is genuinely rewarding. It’s moments like those that remind us why we do what we do. Our company exists to spread that joy and to strengthen the bond between people and their pets through the excitement and connection of dog sports.

Just recently, our newest rescue, a one-year-old pup who had never seen a frisbee before, caught one mid-air for the very first time. The moment she made that leap and snagged it, her eyes lit up with astonishment and pride. We all froze, smiling ear to ear. It was pure magic—the kind of moment that stays with you and reminds you what joy truly looks like.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
At Performance Dogs of Ohio, we believe joy is best shared with a wagging tail and a flying frisbee. Founded with a passion for canine athleticism and companionship, our organization showcases the incredible talents of rescue and locally bred dogs through high-energy stunt, trick, and disc performances. What makes us truly special is our commitment to giving dogs a new “leash” on life. Many of our performers come from challenging backgrounds, and through love, training, and play, they transform into crowd-pleasing stars.

We travel across Ohio and beyond, performing at college campuses, sporting events, festivals, and community gatherings. Our shows are not just entertainment—they are educational experiences that promote pet wellness, responsible ownership, and the deep bond between humans and their dogs. Whether it is a halftime show or a library event, we bring smiles to faces of all ages. Right now, we are expanding our outreach and continuing to train new rescues, like our one-year-old pup who recently caught her first frisbee and lit up the field with joy.

At our core, we are about connection. Between dogs and people. Between communities and compassion. And we are just getting started.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that truly shaped how I see the world was our very first public show. We were nervous, unsure of how people would respond to us, to the concept, to the idea of dogs as athletes and partners. There was excitement, but also uncertainty. Once the show ended, we were flooded with praise, support, and genuine enthusiasm from people of all ages and backgrounds. That moment taught us something profound—people are drawn to the bond between human and dog. It’s a connection that goes beyond politics, beyond personal beliefs, beyond worldviews. It’s universal. That experience reminded me that joy, trust, and love shared with a pet are some of the most powerful forces for bringing people together.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Growing up, I was taught to train dogs using punishment-based methods—choke chains, sharp corrections, dominance-driven obedience. It was what people believed worked back then, and I followed it because I didn’t know there was another way. But over time, I saw the fear and confusion in the dogs’ eyes. I failed to build real trust, and that failure hurt more than any missed command.

Eventually, I discovered positive dog training, a model built on encouragement, patience, and understanding. The transformation was astounding. My dogs didn’t just obey, they chose to engage, to connect. They started looking to me not out of fear, but out of joy. The bond I have with my pets now is deeper than I ever imagined possible. It’s mutual respect, love, and communication. They’ll do anything for me, because they know I’d do anything for them.

Switching to positive training didn’t just change how I work with dogs—it changed how I see relationships, leadership, and growth. Sometimes you have to unlearn what you were taught to find what’s truly right.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the dog entertainment and training industry is the belief that success is measured in money, bookings, sponsorships, and flashy appearances. For a while, even I bought into the idea that growth meant financial gain. But that mindset quickly fades when you are standing in front of a crowd watching a rescued dog catch her first frisbee, or when a child comes up after a show saying they want to train their dog just like us.

The real reward in what we do is not found in profit margins. It is in the joy that spreads across generations and backgrounds, in the healing that happens when a misunderstood animal finds purpose and connection. We have learned that happiness, for the dogs and for us, comes from the bond, not the brand deals. Money may keep the lights on, but happiness keeps the mission alive. And that is a truth we choose to live by.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Today, I’m investing deeply in the future of canine companionship and community education. The time we spend training rescue dogs, nurturing trust through positive methods, and performing across Ohio might look like entertainment on the surface—but it’s planting seeds that will grow for years to come.

We’re shaping the next generation of dog lovers, trainers, and pet owners. The child who sees one of our shows today might become a future advocate for humane training or rescue work. The bond we demonstrate on stage builds emotional awareness, empathy, and connection in ways that ripple forward. Even the culture shift toward more compassionate, positive dog training will take years to fully take root—but we’re modeling it now, because that’s how lasting change begins.

So while not every moment leads to immediate reward, what we’re building is a legacy: one joyful leap, tail wag, and frisbee catch at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.performancedogsofohio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_dogs_of_ohio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/performancedogsofohio
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6OXxxJA1H6leaK92xA_WXg