Dave is on his third tour at Tarheel Canine Training, Inc. He has been training and handling working dogs for the United States Army and civilian contract companies since completing DoD Working Dog School in 1995. He has had several assignments in the US and overseas as a patrol dog handler, narcotic detector dog handler, explosive detector dog handler, trainer, and kennel master. He has trained, handled and certified several different Military Working Dogs to Department of the Army standards.
Most recently he completed work as sales manager for Signature K9. Previously he completed work in Iraq as a civilian contract EDD (Explosive Detector Dog) handler providing service to the US State Department. His assignments providing EDD coverage and security took him all over Iraq, including Ramadi, Mosul, Basrah, and Baghdad.
He has employed dogs as a handler, and dog teams as a supervisor, in demanding situations involving all facets of police, prison and military K9 work. He was instrumental in the planning and distribution of K9 assets in the Afghanistan/Middle Eastern theatre January-June 2002, concurrently working as an explosive detector dog handler and kennel master. Dave has been involved in the training of hundreds of working dog teams in preparation for their Department of the Army certification. Dave has provided explosive detector support to high profile dignitaries such as the President and Vice President of the United States, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, U.S. Secretaries of State, military officials, and foreign dignitaries with no incidents. His dedication to excellence and desire to learn has led him to train with many different local police departments and federal agencies.
Working Dog Related Assignments:
Patrol/Explosive Dog Handler, Narc Dog Handler and Training Supervisor Fort Benning, GA 1995-1996
Patrol/Narc Dog Handler Camp Hialeah, Pusan Republic of Korea, 1997-1998
Explosive Detector Dog Handler, Trainer and Interim Kennel master (8 months) Fort Bragg, NC 1998-2003, with deployments to Hungary, Kuwait, and Afghanistan
Between 50-75 missions providing EDD support of the POTUS, VPOTUS, Secretary of State, and several Foreign dignitaries
Multiple EDD (Explosive Detector Dog) contracts, Iraq 2003-2006
Trainer and Evaluator Tarheel Canine Training, Inc.
Evaluator NTPDA (National Tactical Police Dog Association)
Education & Achievements
Graduate “Top Dog” DoD Working Dog Handlers course June 1995
United States Forces Korea Patrol Dog Competition Winner September 1997
US Army Veterinary Technician Correspondence Course Completion November 1997
Graduate, DoD Working Dog Supervisors course October 2000
Certified Police K9 Instructor, North State K9 Academy, June 2003
Graduate, Blackwater 126 hour High Threat Protection Class 29, 2005
