NCTA Student to Animal Entrepreneur: Sarah Patton Munk
When Sarah (Patton) Munk graduated from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in 2013 with a degree in Veterinary Technology, she carried with her more than classroom knowledge. She carried confidence, compassion, and the skills to build her own business.
“I came from the city but was already ranching and wanted to know more about what I was doing,” Sarah says. “I am a hands-on learner, so NCTA was a great fit to learn by doing and actually get my hands on animals.”
At NCTA, Sarah learned everything from animal health and nutrition to communication and professionalism. “The reality is, drugs do not work if vaccines and antibiotics are not administered correctly,” she explains. “And good PR was taught at NCTA, how to talk to people without being offensive.” She still remembers her professors fondly. “They were humble and used everything as a teaching tool; everyone learned.”
After several years working in a vet clinic, Sarah decided to start her own kennel and grooming business, Mutts and Hutts. “I had our son in 2020 and wanted to be more involved but still present,” she says. “Now Dean, who is five, works right alongside me. He was with me in a backpack carrier as a baby and now helps walk and entertain the dogs.”
When talking about her journey, Sarah is quick to credit her husband, Rich Munk (2002 NCTA Ag Production alum), for helping turn an idea into reality. “Rich has been my biggest supporter and helper in making this business,” she says. “We actually came up with the name while riding in a tractor, throwing ideas back and forth.”
Their partnership reflects the same balance that Sarah strives for in her business: steady, supportive, and built on shared goals. “Mutts and Hutts is not just mine,” she says. “It is something we built as a family.”
Located outside of Newport, Nebraska, Mutts and Hutts offers boarding and grooming services. “I am in this to keep the dogs happy and comfortable,” Sarah says. “The owners are important, but I am here for their dog.” She started with four kennels and has already expanded to eight, grooming about ten dogs a week and boarding up to eight at a time. “Summers are double,” she adds with a laugh. Sarah was initially concerned about starting her business at their home near the family ranch, but her business continues to grow, and the dogs love being in the country.
Her days start early: feeding, walking, cleaning runs, homeschooling Dean, and grooming through the afternoon. Evenings end with more walks, outdoor time, and final check-ins. “Being around animals is relaxing to me. They listen, and I get to be outside. I like the physical work, it feels good knowing my body did a day’s work.”
Sarah’s veterinary background sets her apart. Living beside her business means she can respond quickly to storms, emergencies, or special care needs. “If a storm comes up at night, I can comfort them or administer medication.”
Her advice for future NCTA students is simple: “Take business and finance classes. Budget wisely. Things will fail or break but keep trying. Grasp every moment and embrace the hard ones; you learn more from them than the easy times.”
For Sarah, Mutts and Hutts is more than a business. It is the life she dreamed of. “It is overwhelming sometimes,” she admits, “but amazing to see what has grown from my time at NCTA.”