KITA
Jen’s Medical Alert Service Dog
MEET KITA!
Kita is a medical alert service dog specializing in Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2 pain detection. She is specifically trained to work in the music industry.
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ABOUT KITA
WHY DOES JEN HAVE A SERVICE DOG?
In 2019 Jen was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2—a chronic pain condition which manifests as recurring, unpredictable, and prolonged episodes of intense, shock-like, stabbing facial pain.
Kita has the incredible ability to smell an oncoming Trigeminal Neuralgia attack about 30 minutes before it becomes painful and is trained to quietly alert Jen to take targeted medication to manage any symptoms.
KITA AT WORK
In addition to hundreds of hours of training dedicated to general tasks, obedience, scent detection, and public access manners, Kita has received targeted training to develop the skills necessary for her to work safely and efficiently in music performance environments—from clubs to Broadway pits to Carnegie Hall.
Great care has been taken to ensure she is a non-disruptive presence to both the audience and the humans working around her. In fact, most people don’t even notice she’s there, even if they’re seated nearby.
Kita is specifically trained to navigate the unique challenges presented by music performance environments.
TRAINER & HANDLER
Jen has over 25 years’ experience training animals, and in addition to being Kita’s handler she is also her primary trainer. While a predominantly self-trained team, their training has been supplemented with input and guidance from a CPDT-KA certified professional dog trainer.
To ensure Kita continues to meet the behavior standards expected of service dogs, the team frequently revisits their training to refresh and hone their skills.
ENSEMBLE & WORK EXPERIENCE
Kita and Jen have been a professional working team since December 2020 and have made well over 500 appearances with Broadway and regional pit orchestras, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, televised performances, symphony orchestras throughout New York and New England, recording sessions, outdoor concerts, youth programs/concerts in public schools, chamber music ensembles, wedding bands, club dates, recitals, and industry conventions.
KITA’S PERFORMANCE TRAINING ADDRESSES:
Performance
Spaces
Instruments
& Equipment
Sound
& Music
Audience
& Personnel
Navigation
& Awareness
Performance
Etiquette
TRAINING SPECIFICS
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Kita has experience working in a wide range of environments and is desensitized to all areas of performance spaces.
She is familiar with:
formal & informal concert spaces
outdoor & indoor locations
high-energy events
school environments
religious institutions
backstage & basement areas
lighting & pyrotechnics
atmospheric haze & fog
sets, equipment, & machinery
movement & odors
changes in flooring and surface coverings
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Kita is trained to ignore humans and she is desensitized to human activity in the workplace, including:
audience behavior
ensemble & personnel behavior/work
acting & costumes
dancing & singing
individuals who try to pet her or get her attention
intoxicated adults
enthusiastic children
*Kita will never independently interact with anyone—even if she knows them well—without permission from Jen.
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Kita has worked with a variety of ensembles and is trained to ignore the instruments and equipment she encounters on the job.
Her equipment-specific training includes:
instruments
physical instruments
instrument mechanics
instrument operation
accessories (mutes, swabs, etc.)
equipment
AV technology
electronics and wiring
sets & props
tools
personal property
behavioral considerations
no tail wagging near instruments
no interacting with instruments
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Performance spaces vary widely, and Kita has received training to help her move through those spaces safely and efficiently.
Her navigation and awareness training includes:
tight space maneuverability
directional commands (“right,” “left,” “stop,” etc.)
navigating around delicate obstacles
focused & directed movement
no reaction if stepped over
“careful tail” = no tail wagging
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Kita is trained not to react to sound. To help her achieve this she wears special canine hearing protection—the same kind worn by working dogs in the military—to ensure she remains unbothered by and nonreactive to noise.
Kita’s sound and music training and preparation covers:
amplified & acoustic sound
loud noises
music
pyrotechnics
feedback
high-pitched sounds
sudden noises
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Performance situations pose unique challenges to dogs, and Kita is trained to behave in a manner that will maintain the integrity of the performance as well as the work environment.
Her performance etiquette training includes:
no vocalizations
whining
barking
groaning
no noisy or disturbing movement
stretching
rolling over
changing position
shaking
no unauthorized movement
remains lying down if personnel moves or stands
place-based training
will not move from mat without permission
PREPARATION
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Like every professional musician, Kita has her own performance attire.
adheres to ensemble dress code
wears “concert black” bodysuit
can dress up for fun occasions (Halloween, pops concerts, etc.)
dark gray service vest
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Kita will always do her job—even if she’s uncomfortable, scared, or bored—but steps are taken prior to rehearsals and performances to ensure she is comfortable while Jen is working.
Preparation includes:
pre-work bathroom breaks
feeding/snack schedule structured around typical musician work hours
(lots of) off-duty exercise and mental stimulation
regular grooming and bathing
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Safety measures ensure Kita can move through human environments safely, efficiently, and respectfully.
Safety considerations include:
use of a traffic lead (very short leash—18 inches long)
always tethered to Jen
never left alone in the workplace
responds to verbal commands and silent gestures
clearly marked as a service dog at all times
bright red service pack for everyday use
dark gray service pack for performances
socialization
Kita gets along well with people and animals, but will not interact with them while on duty
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Kita has the capacity and stamina to work long hours if required.
Some of her experience in this area includes:
all-day recording sessions
multi-hour operas
lengthy performances
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If a performance environment or situation is unusual or involves skills that are new to Kita, she can quickly be prepped and trained ahead of time to handle anything.
Kita’s vast repertoire of skills, general training, and work/life experience can be applied to most performance and event scenarios.
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SKILLS TESTING
Canine Good Citizen Test – American Kennel Club
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
TRAINING BACKGROUND
compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act service dog requirements
training and abilities meet or exceed minimum training standards of IAADP
access to certified professional dog trainer
handler has 25 + years’ animal training experience
ongoing training
refresher sessions as needed
voluntary check-ins with certified professional dog trainer
additional training as needed for new skills & unique situations
Service animal requirements and behavior expectations at the federal level are defined and outlined in the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Service animal training is not standardized or regulated by any entity. The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP) has drafted a list of minimum training standards for public access as a guide.
New York State: service dog information
New York City: service dog information
FAQ
It’s perfectly reasonable to have questions about bringing Kita into performance situations, and we’re happy to address those concerns.
A general service animal FAQ can be found on the ADA website.
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA
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To alert, Kita repeatedly touches her nose to Jen’s leg.
An alert from Kita means a Trigeminal Neuralgia attack is imminent. Jen will take medication to help manage any oncoming symptoms.
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No.
An alert just means Jen needs to take medication.
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No.
Kita is trained to integrate seamlessly into human environments.
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No.
Thanks to Kita and her alerts, TN does not impact Jen’s trombone playing.
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This has never happened, and is extremely unlikely.
Kita’s alerts are scent-based, so she can always detect a TN attack—no matter what’s going on around her—as long as she’s within sniffing distance of Jen. She’ll even wake from a deep sleep to alert.
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Saliva samples were collected from Jen when she was having a Trigeminal Neuralgia attack and again when she was not having one.
Each sample was sealed in an airtight container and Kita played a game where she had to find the container with the Trigeminal Neuralgia scent.
Kita was taught to alert Jen to her discovery by quietly and repeatedly “booping” Jen’s leg with her nose.
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Possibly!
Check out the TN & Service Dogs FAQ for more information.
We think Kita is one of the first Type 2 Trigeminal Neuralgia medical alert dogs (we don’t know of any others, but if a team is out there we’d love to hear from you) so most of the information we have is from our own guesswork and trial-and-error.
*Jen is a musician—she cannot offer medical, legal, or veterinary advice and she certainly cannot diagnose anybody with anything. She encourages everyone to consult their physicians/care teams, veterinarians, trainers, or other qualified local experts for personalized information.
WORK & TRAINING
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To alert, Kita repeatedly touches her nose to Jen’s leg.
The alert is intentionally very subtle so it doesn’t disrupt Jen’s performance or distract her colleagues.
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Depending on how much room there is, Jen will place Kita’s mat under or next to her chair, or between her legs (if standing).
This mat is home base to Kita, and she will lie down and stay there until Jen instructs her to move.
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No.
Kita is trained not to vocalize or make any large movements while working.
This means she will not groan, whine, bark, shake, roll around, or change position while on duty—including during concerts.
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Training!
As a professional service dog, Kita has excellent training recall and will always remain calm and obey commands—even if she’s bored, scared, has a lot of energy, or would rather be doing something else.
Kita also gets a lot of exercise (she averages 5-6 miles a day) and mental stimulation while off duty to ensure she is comfortable while on the job.
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No.
Kita wears special canine hearing protection—the same kind used by military working dogs—and easily ignores sound and noise, including:
sudden loud noises
high-pitched sounds
very loud music
Rickrolls
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Kita gets along very well with people and animals, but like most service dogs she is trained not to interact with them while working.
Because of this, we simply ask that any pets at your event be leashed and supervised so they do not approach Kita while she is working.
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If Jen is aware someone is afraid of dogs or has a severe allergy she will happily make a reasonable, mutual effort to avoid that individual in the workplace.*
If avoiding each other is not possible, know that Kita is very friendly and is trained not to approach or interact with humans or animals while working.
Kita wears a full-body covering to help minimize allergens.
*It is not Jen’s responsibility to accommodate others to the point that it interferes with her ability to do her job or move freely about the workplace.
GENERAL
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Probably not.
It is very likely that if Jen and Kita are at a work function or in a human environment that Kita will be off limits to you. Kita has an important job to do and is not there for anyone’s entertainment.
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Kita is a mutt!
DNA tests reveal Kita is a blend of many different breeds—none of which exceed 35% of her genetic makeup and all of which are loyal, affectionate people-pleasers that love to work.
Kita’s mix includes:
Labrador Retriever
Beagle
American Staffordshire Terrier
Dalmatian (she does have spots!)
American Eskimo Dog
American Pit Bull Terrier
Boxer (which explains the absurdly goofy way she runs)
Doberman
Alaskan Husky
*While it is very common to see certain breeds doing assistance work, the ADA does not place any restrictions on service dog breeds.
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In addition to her performance career, Kita has amassed a number of life experiences and has the skills to tackle a wide range of activities alongside Jen.
Some of her adventures include:
axe throwing establishments
bowling alleys
mini golf
arcades
whitewater rafting
hiking & wildlife (& bears, oh my!)
camping
boats, airplanes, trains, cars
disco dance floors
attending concerts, theater, and operas
biking & unicycling (jogging alongside)
skateboarding & skateparks
hospitals and medical facilities
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Yes!
Technically Kita is always on duty when it comes to detecting Trigeminal Neuralgia flare-ups, but she does get to take her service vest off and zoom around the dog park a few times a day. She just has to come back every couple of minutes to sniff Jen.
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Kita is a foster fail and her work as a service dog began by accident.
After Jen began fostering Kita, she noticed Kita would act strangely about 30 minutes before a TN attack. After speaking with a professional dog trainer about Kita’s behavior, Jen decided to adopt her and pursue intensive training.
It is a complete coincidence that Kita happened to have the aptitude, abilities, and enthusiasm for service dog work.
SIDE NOTE: We (and her vet) think Kita was actually shot prior to being rescued, based on buckshot that healed into her body near a prominent scar.
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Kita underwent intensive training with Jen for about 8 months before accompanying her in public full-time. She trained for about a year prior to appearing in a Broadway pit.
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No.
A dog must have the right temperament, trainability, and inherent ability to perform their service work to be a suitable service dog candidate.
Depending on a dog’s abilities, training regimen, and the needs/lifestyle of their handler, a service dog’s training may last for 6 months to 2+ years before they will have developed the skills necessary to accompany their handler in public full-time.
Have a question?
Let us know!
ENSEMBLE
WORK
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA ORCHESTRA
ALADDIN THE MUSICAL — BROADWAY
SWEENEY TODD — BROADWAY
THE GREAT GATSBY — BROADWAY
INTERNATIONAL PRIDE ORCHESTRA
MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY
WATERBURY SYMPHONY
NEW BRUNSWICK ORCHESTRA
GREENWICH SYMPHONY
SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSELIVE IN CONCERT
MOD SOCIETY WEDDING + EVENT BAND
MONARCH BRASS
THE KENNEDY DREAM PROJECT:
THE JAZZ LOFT + STONYBROOK UNIVERSITY
CALLIOPE BRASS
INDUSTRY
EVENTS
2025 INT’L WOMEN’S BRASS CONFERENCE
full recital with eGALitarian Brass
panelist for LGBTQ+ musician roundtable
2024 INT’L WOMEN’S BRASS CONFERENCE
joint recital with Sasha Romero
featured soloist with International Women’s Trombone Choir
performance with Monarch Brass
2022 INT’L WOMEN’S BRASS CONFERENCE
performances
judges panel for trombone excerpt competition
2022 INTERNATIONAL TRUMPET GUILD
performance with Monarch Brass
2021 INTERNATIONAL TROMBONE FESTIVAL
panel discussion
performance with Trombones in Middle Earth
performance with The International Women’s Trombone Choir
ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS
COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS
OPERA
SMALL ENSEMBLES
MUSICAL THEATER
TELEVISED PERFORMANCES
BIG BANDS
BRASS ENSEMBLES
EVENT BANDS
JAZZ ENSEMBLES
EDUCATIONAL CONCERTS
CLUB DATES
RECITALS
MASTERCLASSES
SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
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We spent 12 hours in the studio over 2 days with 16 musicians + conductor. Never was there a single moment of disruption from Kita. Kita immediately laid down and went to sleep, and stayed in sleep position for the entirety of all 4 sessions (3 hours each.) To be honest, we all just forget she was there. I’m allergic to dogs and had no issues. Probably due to the body suit Jen puts on Kita. What a blessing to be able to have Jen with us.
August Eriksmoen
www.augusteriksmoen.com -
It is my great privilege to have Jennifer Hinkle as the bass trombone player in the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra. Jen, of course, is always accompanied by Kita, the most wonderful, sweet and admirably behaved dog I have ever seen.
As a service dog, Kita sits on stage during rehearsals and concerts, dutifully fulfilling her noble mission of keeping Jen healthy and safe. Not once has she been a distraction of any kind. On the contrary, she lies quietly (not an easy feat, surrounded by trombones!) but always attentive to Jen’s needs. She was beloved by all in the orchestra and became everyone’s favorite pet. Her presence was a balm of kindness and joy, and served to lighten everyone’s mood.
There should never be a doubt from anyone about Kita’s qualification, superb training and disposition, enabling her to be alongside Jen at any rehearsal or performance. I very much look forward to sharing the Music in the Mountains stage with both of them again next summer!
Guillermo Figueroa
Artistic Director and Conductor
Music in the MountainsPrincipal Conductor
Santa Fe SymphonyMusic Director, Lynn Philharmonia
Lynn Conservatory of Music -
I am delighted to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Jen Hinkle and Kita. I’ve worked with Jen for the past 4 years and I have found her to be a strong and dependable asset to our lineup in my wedding band. Kita has joined our group this year and has been a highlight of every event. She is kind to band members and guests, and a joy to have on stage. Her professionalism is second to none and her knowledge of repertoire is excellent.
I highly recommend Jen and Kita in any professional setting and work environment.
Claudio Marquez
www.modsociety.com -
I have had the pleasure of performing alongside Kita at numerous prestigious music venues, museums, jazz clubs, concert halls and recording studios thanks to her mom, Jen Hinkle, who happens to be one of the most sought-after trombonists on the scene today.
Jen is a responsible dog owner and Kita is well trained so it feels very natural to see a professional have her service-dog with her at work.
Kita walks alongside her master and has the kindest eyes that tell you she is on a mission, which appears to be to sit under the chair the entire gig and keep to herself.
It’s always nice and calming to have Kita around.
Dan Pugach
www.danpugach.com
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