Mariya Sergeeva, COO – K9 University Chicago
Mariya Sergeeva is the Chief Executive Officer of K9 University Chicago, one of the city’s largest and most trusted dog care facilities. She has led K9U since 2016, overseeing a facility that serves more than 12,000+ Chicago families and holds a 4.6-star rating across 600+ reviews.
Mariya writes about the operational decisions, care standards, and systems that shape how K9U serves Chicago dog owners. Her perspective comes from nearly a decade of building and running one of the city’s most complex dog care operations, alongside her own personal experience raising a challenging dog, the same experience that drives K9U’s core belief that every dog deserves a place that understands them.
In 2026, Mariya was named one of the Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026 by Entrepreneurs Herald, a recognition that reflects her work building K9U into Chicago’s most inclusive, behavior-forward dog care facility.
About Mariya
Mariya Sergeeva joined K9 University Chicago in 2016, bringing with her a master’s degree from Novosibirsk State University and a firsthand understanding of what it means to own a dog that most facilities would turn away.
That personal experience shaped her approach to running K9U. Under her leadership, the facility has deepened its commitment to behavioral science and enrichment-based care, building a team of 40+ staff members trained to support dogs of all breeds and temperaments, including dogs with anxiety, reactivity, and special behavioral needs.
Mariya has carried that mission forward, growing the facility’s reach across Chicago neighborhoods, including Lincoln Park, West Loop, Lakeview, and Logan Square, and building K9U into one of the city’s most recognized names in dog care.
What sets Mariya apart is her ability to build the processes and systems that allow a large, complex dog care operation to run with consistency. From staff training frameworks to care protocols and operational workflows, she has created the infrastructure that lets K9U deliver the same standard of care across every service, every day, at scale.
Her writing on the K9U blog reflects the operational and care philosophy that guides the facility. She writes for Chicago dog owners who want practical, honest information about what quality dog care looks like and how to evaluate it.
Areas of Expertise
Mariya’s writing and expertise cover the topics that matter most to Chicago dog owners:
- Building systems and processes for consistent, high-quality dog care
- Operational leadership and staff training at scale
- Dog behavior and resource guarding
- Reactive dog management and support
- Puppy training and early socialization
- Board and train programs and what owners should expect
- Behavioral-first dog care and enrichment
- Choosing the right training program for your dog’s needs
- Managing multi-dog households
Background and Recognition
- Role: Chief Operating Officer, K9 University Chicago
- At K9U since: 2016 (approximately 10 years)
- Education: Master’s Degree, Novosibirsk State University
- Recognition: Named Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026, Entrepreneurs Herald (March 2026)
- Read the full feature: Entrepreneurs Herald – Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026
About K9 University Chicago
Mariya’s work at K9U is inseparable from her expertise.
K9 University Chicago is one of the city’s largest indoor and outdoor dog care campuses, offering daycare, boarding, private and group training, board and train programs, transportation services, and grooming under one roof. The facility has been serving Chicago dogs and their families since 1992.
K9U is the only dog care facility in Chicago that accepts all breeds and temperaments, including reactive dogs and dogs with behavioral challenges that most facilities decline. With 40+ trained staff members and a 4.6-star average across more than 600 reviews, K9U serves more than 12,000+ Chicago families.
Learn more about K9U’s services at k9uchicago.com.
Content by Mariya Sergeeva
Published Articles
- The 3-3-3 Rule for New Dogs: What to Expect and How K9U Helps (April 2026)
- K9 University Chicago Celebrates 30+ Years of Inclusive, Behavior-First Dog Care (October 2025)
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