HOLD THE LINE K9 CONFERENCE HOLD THE LINE K9 CONFERENCE HOLD THE LINE K9 CONFERENCE
CLASS DESCRIPTION & INSTRUCTORS
2026 COURSE LINE UP
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Eric Stanbro
Class - E-collar Without Conflict For working Dogs
Eric will discuss all the things you and your training program have been doing over the years that leads to conflict between handler and K9. Eric will show you how to clean up the conflict in your obedience, bite work, verbal out, recall, and how you’re living with your dog.
BIO:
Eric has been handling and training police K9’s and K9 teams for 20 years. He is the owner of VanEss K9, located in Canton, Ohio which provides training for dogs and handlers. Eric travels the country teaching various seminars and conferences. He specializes in fixing problems and repairing relationships between handler and k9. Eric’s e collar seminar has reached over 1200 digs to date. His Proven methods are so effective that he wrote a best selling book titled E Collar, Without Conflict, For Pets and Working Dogs. You can also hear him talk about all things dogs as the cohost of the popular podcast Working Dog Radio
Mike Kmiecik
Class Description : Patrol Case Law (Day 1)
This block will focus on criminal and civil litigation related to police service patrol apprehension dogs. Specific attention will be placed on the use of force and current trends throughout the United States Courts of appeal.
Class Description : Narcotics Case Law (day 2)
This Block will focus on current Case law for Police Narcotics K9's.
BIO:
Mike is a current 26-year law enforcement veteran and 17-year veteran police service and working dog handler in the Chicago Metropolitan area. He has handled multiple dogs specialized in patrol, narcotic-contraband detection and human remains detection. Mike is currently a K-9 Team Sergeant for a multi-jurisdictional mobile field force, serving the Chicagoland area. He has more than 8,000-hours of training in law enforcement and police service dog operations.
Mike is the lead instructor for Sheepdog Guardian Consulting and maintains the most comprehensive canine legal website, “Canine Legal Updates and Opinions” and contributed to multiple magazines, and podcasts. He has taught and written about police service and working dog operations, industry standards and legal updates for over 10-years and studied under Terry Fleck, Ed.D.. Mike is a committee member with the Illinois Tactical Officer’s Association K9 Committee (Subgroup: Patrol K9) and former member with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Working Group Canine Compliance.
Zach Pfannenstiel
Class Description - Engagement Unleashed: Fixing Hesitation and Drive Issues in Patrol Dogs - NEW CLASS
This class is a high-impact, solutions-focused course designed to tackle one of the most
frustrating problems in modern K9 deployments, dogs that hesitate or lack clarity in real-
world engagements. This course dives into practical strategies to identify and correct
drive deficiencies, build engagement confidence, and reinforce decision-making under
pressure. This class will utilize body-worn camera (BWC) footage to analyze real K9
deployments, allowing attendees to break down and troubleshoot engagement issues
with a focus on improving clarity, commitment, and decision-making in the dog.
BIO:
With a distinguished career spanning over seventeen years in law enforcement, Zach Pfannenstiel brings a wealth of experience to his role. He has held various positions, including Patrol Officer, Gang Suppression Team officer, Canine Handler, and Patrol Sergeant. Notably, Zach has dedicated over a decade of his career to the Canine Unit, where he currently serves as the Training Sergeant responsible for overseeing a team of 40 working dogs. Currently, Zach Pfannenstiel works a dual-purpose patrol dog, cross-trained in explosive detection.
Jason Davis
Class Description : “Green to Street Ready” - NEW CLASS
This class will cover the systematic process I follow when decoying a green dog at the most foundational level, and all the steps taken and techniques utilized to prepare him for the day he meets that 1%er. Integrating my French Ring decoy experience, into the world of police K9’s, I’ll show how we can build a much more versatile and capable dog on the streets.
Bio:
Jason has been professionally training working dogs since 2007, but my exposure started much earlier. Coming from a family of dog trainers, I grew up around working dogs, and have always had a passion for them.
My background is rooted in French Ring, and over the years, I’ve spent just as much time in the suit as I have behind the leash. Decoy work plays a huge role in how I develop dogs. Whether it’s building drive, developing targeting, or teaching control under pressure, I believe a skilled decoy can shape a dog’s future just as much as a skilled handler can. My approach is always about reading the dog, adjusting in real time, and creating strong, confident workers through fair and purposeful communication.
I’m also one of the owners of Sentinel Canine Solutions, where we specialize in preparing and providing green police dogs to departments and agencies. We focus on selecting dogs with the proper working genetics, through the help of our breeder Montferland K9 Services. Then laying down the foundation they need to succeed in real-world environments. The same principles I apply in sport, carry directly into the police dog side of things.
Whether it’s developing young sport dogs, or helping agencies find and prepare their next partner, I’m committed to building strong, capable dogs and helping handlers get the most out of them.
Craig Mancuso
Class Descripition : S.K.I.D.D.S - NEW CLASS
For those that do not understand canines or have a misconception as to just how beneficial canines can be to a SWAT team, S.K.I.D.D.S. is the answer. The goal of this three day course will be to educate and train both canine handlers and the SWAT team members on the deployment of police service dogs in a SWAT operation. At S.K.I.D.D.S. we will teach you approaches, entries, slow stealth and tactical team movements and searching techniques, safer arrest techniques along with team movement during live gunfire. The skills you will learn at S.K.I.D.D.S. will enhance your searching abilities and make your job safer and easier. Open to all sworn police officers and military police who are currently members of their departments K9 unit or SWAT team. SWAT and K9 supervisors are encouraged to attend.
BIO:
Sgt. Mancuso served in the U.S Marine Corps from 1996-2000. In 2002 he moved from New York to Nevada and began his law enforcement career with the Henderson Police Department. Sgt Mancuso was a Canine handler from 2007-2017. He voluntarily completed SWAT School in 2007 because he firmly believes that K9 Handlers should be able to operate seamlessly at the same skill level of the tactical teams that they deploy with. His K9 teams were highly successful on the street and in tactical environments. Sgt Mancuso’s K9 teams were also top performers in many national canine competitions earning multiple “Top Dog” awards. Sgt Mancuso is a Certified K9 Instructor, Judge and Adjunct Instructor with Utah and Nevada POST and a Certifying Official for California Narcotic Canine Association. He was the Unit Trainer for his department’s 10 dog unit during his 10 years in the program.
Brady Smith
Class description:
K9 Operational Medicine - What to Know When Disaster Strikes -
DAY 1 - Lecture Session and Day 2 - Practical Session
Handlers will learn how to assess, stabilize, and ready canines for transport following field injury. Handlers will also learn basic body handling and bandaging techniques, as well as emergency preparedness. Instruction will focus on meeting handlers at their skill level, and teaching skills that they will actually be able to use in the field.
BIO
Brady Smith is the Head Instructor and founder of Dustoff K9, an internationally recognized canine medical consulting company specializing in canine field trauma response and preparedness. He is also the owner and Training Director of Ridgeside K9 Colorado Springs. Brady currently serves on active duty in the Army as a medic and canine handler. He has been on active duty for 17 years, spending the past 8 years as a canine handler and the past 3 years as his unit’s Kennel Master.
Brady’s background has uniquely and extensively prepared him for his role in canine medical training, having 6 combined combat deployments as both a medic and canine handler. During deployment and while stateside, Brady has trained on and rendered direct medical care to working and pet canines. He also regularly serves in advisory roles for canine medical care and training. Additionally, Brady has vast experience in close quarters battle, displaced combatants, site exploitation and tactical medicine.
Danny Villarino
Class Description : Odor on the Move: Developing the Ultimate Firearm Detection Dog - NEW CLASS
The best detection dogs don’t just identify odor — they hunt it down and relentlessly pursue it. Traditional firearm detection methods can’t keep pace with the evolving threats of modern attacks. Today’s challenges demand dogs capable of tracking weapons on the move, identifying armed individuals before they can act. This class delivers a deep dive into the progression of training that forges proactive firearm detection canines, from mastering scent dynamics to excelling in complex, high-traffic environments. Attendees will gain proven strategies for building independence, sharpening odor commitment, and applying effective deployment methods to sustain peak readiness. These skills translate directly into operational success, ensuring canine teams can uncover concealed threats in the most challenging environments.
BIO:
Danny Villarino is a Law Enforcement Officer with over 15 years of experience and an accomplished K9 handler since 2015. While with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, he played a key role in developing and sustaining more than fourteen K9 teams throughout Central Florida, building specialized programs that improved performance across patrol and detection disciplines.
In 2022, he founded Proven K9 Solutions, a collaborative training group dedicated to advancing handlers nationwide through programs such as Integrated Canine Entry (ICE)™, aggression control, tracking, decoy development, and complex patrol deployments.
In 2024, Danny spearheaded one of the first hospital-based Person-Borne Firearms Detection (PBFD) programs with Atrium Health, a healthcare enterprise spanning six states. His work focuses on reducing workplace violence by integrating proactive K9 sweeps into high-risk environments, establishing measurable benchmarks for success, and creating a scalable model that can expand across healthcare, schools, and private venues. Danny’s mission is to equip agencies with adaptable frameworks that address today’s evolving security challenges head-on.
MICHAEL NEZBETH - Grassroots K9
Class 1 - Puppy to Police Dog
Raising a reliable police dog starts long before formal training begins. This presentation explores the journey from selecting and developing a high-potential puppy to shaping them into a confident, capable working K9. We’ll break down critical developmental stages, including early imprinting, foundational obedience, environmental exposure, and structured play, all of which lay the groundwork for success.
Additionally, we’ll dive into the transition from puppy to "green dog"—a prospect ready for advanced training. Understanding how to build engagement, drive, and resilience in a young dog ensures they enter formal training with the right mindset for success. Whether you're raising a pup from 8 weeks or starting with an adolescent green dog, this presentation provides essential insights for developing elite working K9s.
Class 2 - Problem solving
Our problem solving course utilizes learning theories and other practical approaches to dealing with common issues that arise with working dogs. In this course we will discuss the framework we use to delve into finding solutions for these problems. Following this system will help with bitework, detection, tracking and obedience issues. This is a step by step process that is applicable across disciplines.
BIO:
Michael Nezbeth is the Training Director and founder of Grassroots K9, an international training company that specializes in LEO canines. Michael also offers seminars and workshops to LEO and civilians aimed at giving actionable training plans based on theory to practical applications. Michael began his career in the canine industry after graduating with degrees in Psychology and Criminology. His background has given him the ability to apply a theoretical and systematic approach to practical applications in canine deployments.
Michael is a well-versed trainer in numerous disciplines within the working dog world. He has a structured approach that is effectively transferred to both handlers and canines in the areas of Narcotic Detection, Explosive Detection, Obedience, Evidence Search, Problem Solving, Tracking and Apprehension work. Michael applies his education in learning theories to all facets of dog training but specifically has a passion for grip development.
One of his duties is to oversee the Grassroots K9 Prospective Police Dog Program that is responsible for the procurement and training of dogs for work in law enforcement. This unique position gives him the ability to design repeatable scientific based programs for the development of young green dogs into effective patrol dogs. Michael has instructed at seminars locally and internationally for law enforcement, military handlers, and security contractors. He has also trained and placed canines in various agencies across North America.
Mike Lilley
Class 1 - Operational Detection Dogs: High-Reliability for Skills for Modern LE Handlers. NEW CLASS
Detection dogs are naturally proficient at communicating when target odor is present—but true operational reliability requires equal clarity when odor is absent. In this course, we will examine the training principles and methodologies that build confident, independent search dogs capable of accurately indicating both the presence and confirmed absence of target odor. Attendees will learn how to strengthen search behavior, reduce false indications, and create dogs that can problem-solve through complex environments with consistency and confidence. This session is designed to elevate deployment-ready performance for handlers, trainers, and working K9 teams seeking higher reliability in the field.
Class 2 - TRACKING CLASS
PowerPoint terminology methodology psychology bite work on tracks? To Do or Not to Do How to implement bites on tracks Tracking training traditional methods vs. article-based vs. odor-based Hard surface tracking Grass and woods tracking Scent discriminatory tracking with distraction Article indications of evidence search Reality based scenarios in tracking and article indication Deployments Perimeters E-collar education
At a very early age, Mike developed a deeply ingrained love for dogs and the training that went into making them operational. His father would have 15 to 20 hunting dogs in their kennels at any given time along with multiple litters of puppies. Mike and his younger brother were tasked with taking care of the dogs everyday which taught him early on how to properly tend to the needs of the animals. As Mike grew older, his love for raising and training dogs flooded over into his own line of dogs. Throughout the years, Mike has worked with many talented trainers where he gained a wealth of knowledge which he put into training countless working dogs.
Mike became a State Law Enforcement Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at the age of 24. During his career with FWC, he was voted Officer of the Year for his region and also the NWTF Officer of the Year. He was a member of the FWC Special Operations Group (SOG) as well as a founding member of FWC's Resource Protection Unit (RPU). After a few years, Mike went through FWC's interview and rigorous physical assessment in order to become a member of the FWC K9 program. He was ultimately selected where he was partnered with his first K9 partner, K9 Roscoe. After completing a seven-month K9 school, Mike and K9 Roscoe went back to their respective region certified in tracking, article recovery and fish and game detection through NAPWDA. Mike and K9 Roscoe were responsible for countless arrests along with assisting other agencies in the recovery of crucial pieces of evidence that would have otherwise gone undetected allowing dangerous criminals to walk the streets.
After a couple of years, Mike decided to capitalize on an opportunity to work a dual-purpose patrol dog with the Hendry County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). Mike travelled to Royal Police Dogs in Tallahassee where he tested several candidates but ultimately selected a 10-month-old Belgian Malinois named “Neko”. Mike and K9 Neko attended their patrol school with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit (PBSO.) After completing over 800 hours of training, Mike and K9 Neko certified in Patrol, Tracking and Narcotics detection through FLECA. Mike was invited back to PBSO where he assisted with instructing a large K9 school with teams from multiple agencies. After completing almost two years training, he was given his Police K9 Trainer's certification.
𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻
Michele Maughan, Ph.D., is a research scientist and program manager for Excet, Inc. a US Defense Department science and engineering contract firm. Michele works at the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Chemical Biological Center (CBC) in the Olfactory Sciences group at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In this role, Dr. Maughan, provides subject matter expertise on canine scent detection and training aids, explosive and other emerging CBRNE threats, sensor technologies, and research, development, test and evaluation of Military Working Dog and Homeland Security canines. In addition to being a scientist, Michele is also a certified explosives detection dog (EDD) handler, currently working on developing her second EDD from puppy to operational canine for R&D projects.
Todd Wilber
Class - Explosives Explained
This will include peroxide based threats and compositions. We will cover past, present and future threats, the means of building the explosives and the safe handling of the materials for training. ⠀
BIO:
Todd is a former special operations (tier 1) bomb technician and explosive materials expert. He has identified/disposed of/decommissioned several thousand bombs (IED to nuclear). He has done additional work with several USG agencies as a subject matter expert, project manager and operations. Todd is an adjunct professor at New Mexico State University where he lectures and instructs on explosive identification, detonation and disposal. Mr. Wilber if the founder and President of Precision Explosives, LLC.
Jay Nix
Class: “Lessons Learned in Hunting Dangerous Men” - NEW CLASS
Synopsis: To give handlers a raw, real, applicable breakdown of what actually matters when hunting human beings with a police K9, including decision making, tactical movement, reading behavior, managing stress, controlling the dog, and preparing for violent encounters.
This isn’t a “war story” class.
It’s a leadership and survival class for today’s K9 handler, built on experience, and proven principles.
Jay is an active-duty law enforcement officer who has served with the Marion County, FL, Sheriff’s Office since 2000. He was assigned to the K9 Unit as a handler in 2002. During his time as a handler, he was assigned to the patrol division, a joint agency narcotics task force, followed by an assignment to a highway criminal interdiction unit, where he led the unit as the team’s commander and sergeant. He currently holds the position of the agency’s K9 Commander and head trainer. Jay is a certified law enforcement K9 instructor and evaluator with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as well as the Florida Law Enforcement Canine Association. Jay also serves as a board member as Vice President of the national non-profit organization K9s United, where he not only heads up the professional training team, he also helps with the organization’s daily operations.
RICK FARLEY
Class Description : Answers to old aged questions in detection -
This class will debunk common myths about odor detection—what odor does and doesn’t do.
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Whether you should work your dog or allow the dog to work independently.
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Understanding which type of reward system (primary vs. secondary) is best for your training objectives.
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The use of pseudo scents—whether they are beneficial or harmful for imprinting your dog.
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Understanding the difference between duty and non-duty detection work.
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Important steps to take prior to going to court.
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How to properly testify during a trial.
BIO:
Ricky Farley has owned and operated the Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Officer’s Training Center since 1992. He has had the privilege of training police service canines for over 28 foreign countries as well as over 1700 police departments inside the United States.
Over his 25 year career Mr. Farley has trained canines in areas of narcotics, explosives, accelerant and cadaver detection as well as apprehension.
He has made numerous television appearances on issues pertaining to police service canines, assisted both large and small departments in writing their canine policies and procedures, given civil liability lectures along with search and seizure law updates and lectured over 2500 individuals in the area of canine bite prevention.
Mr. Farley has been involved with the University of Alabama, assisting in cadaver dog research and security involving athletic events. He has testified as an expert witness in several court cases.
Ricky is the only civilian to teach classes at the MVCI (motor vehicle criminal interdiction). In addition to MVCI he has taught classes for HIDTA (high intensity drug trafficking area) program.
JOSH ROWLANDS
Class Description : K9 Communication & Progressive Overload Training. NEW CLASS
This session refines the handler–dog communication loop and shows how to apply progressive overload without putting a dog on the field. We cover marker systems, timings and body cues, operant theory, progressive based training principles. We discuss scaling training stressors methodically across intensity, duration, complexity, and distraction to build reliability without flooding or burnout. Applied discussions focus on obedience under load, detection concepts and operant training principles. The goal is to discuss and share information in an effort to build on k9 tknowledge across the LEO agencies.
Bio:
Josh Rowlands is a 19-year military veteran whose career includes 17 years in special operations and 9 combat deployments. As a former Tier 1 operator and K9 handler, he led and mentored teams in complex environments. Josh’s operational background spans mission development, cross-unit coordination, and integrating working dogs into high-risk tasks.
In the training world, Josh translates that experience into a practical, repeatable system built on two pillars: precise handler–dog communication and progressive overload applied with purpose. He teaches handlers how to tighten the communication loop, manage arousal and drive, and scale stressors across intensity, duration, complexity, and distraction without flooding or burnout.
Focus areas: communication and timing, progressive overload planning, obedience under load, detection theory, stress inoculation, operant based theory and practical applications.
Credentials at a glance:
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19 years military service; 17 years special operations
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9 overseas deployments
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Former Tier 1 operator and K9 handler
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Emphasis on clear, concise communication and operant based training concepts.
Drew Dubnyk
Class 1 - Uniform Neutrality
An accidental bite on a fellow officer or team member is one of the quickest ways to tarnish a k9 team’s reputation. It is our job, as K9 handlers, to provide a reliable tool to assist in many different volatile situations. That job is not only to locate suspects but to reduce risk to our fellow officers. If the presence of a K9 distracts fellow officers due to fear of an accidental bite, the advantage we gain by having that tool present is almost equally lost by the distraction it creates. This class will focus on some of the main reasons bad bites occur. In turn, it will provide street-proven methods and training exercises to reduce the chance of this happening.
Class 2 - The Gap: Equipment to Live Engagement
From green dogs on bite equipment to their first live engagements on the street, this class will speak to a variety of training methods used to bridge this gap. The primary focus will be on muzzle training, while talking about a variety of methods and tools to create a street worthy K9. It is our duty as trainers to create operationally reliable canines. We must do our best to bridge this gap prior to new dogs hitting the street, because lives could depend on a dog’s first engagement.
BIO:
Drew has been a police officer in Canada for the last 17 years, 10 of which have been assigned to the K9 Unit. He is a C.L.E.A.R certified Master Trainer with the Canadian Police Canine Association. Drew has been responsible for overseeing training for his service’s Patrol K9, Detection and Tactical Integration programs for the majority of his K9 career. This includes working two of his own dual-purpose K9’s, spending 8 years integrated with his service’s Tactical Unit.
In 2023, Drew and his K9 partner competed in the Canadian National Police Dog Championships, winning “Top Dog” in the country over the 4-day event. Drew’s history with working K9’s is a bit unique in the policing world as he trained dogs prior to joining the k9 unit. This prior experience from training pets, sport dogs and police k9s, combined with years of operational experience, creates a unique perspective.
Ricky Rivera and Stephen Leitzell
Class 1 - Selecting the Modern Police Dog - NEW CLASS
A successful K9 team starts with selecting the right dog. In this class, Spectrum Canine’s Ricky Rivera and Stephen Leitzell explain the modern approach to evaluating police dog candidates based on genetics, sociability, environmental stability, hunting drive, and clear-headed bite behavior. Attendees will learn how to identify dogs that possess the balance of confidence, nerve, and work ethic needed for real-world performance. Backed by extensive field experience, Spectrum Canine shares proven methods to help agencies choose dogs with predictable results, strong control, and long-term reliability on the street.
Class 2 - Developing Control for the Streets - NEW CLASS
This course focuses on building reliable, street-ready police dogs through advanced E-collar communication and off-leash control. Ricky Rivera and Stephen Leitzell of Spectrum Canine demonstrate how proper E-collar use enhances tactical capability, increases officer safety, and minimizes liability—without compromising drive or performance. Attendees will learn proven methods to develop verbal outs, recalls, and directional control that transform K9s into precise, confident tools for modern police work.
BIO: Ricky Rivera and Stephen Leitzell
Ricky Rivera and Stephen Leitzell lead Spectrum Canine Police Dogs, a nationally recognized training program specializing in the development, deployment, and maintenance of modern police K9 teams. With over two decades of combined experience, they have built a results-driven program focused on producing highly effective, street-ready police dogs with exceptional control and reliability.
Their work spans across the country—training, auditing, and consulting for law enforcement and military units while providing comprehensive K9 procurement, handler schools, and advanced continuing education courses such as E-collar training, decoy development, and high-stress scenario-based instruction.
Through years of operational experience, they’ve refined methods that transform K9 units into trusted, mission-critical assets—enhancing deployment rates, performance, and handler confidence while reducing liability.
Spectrum Canine is dedicated to advancing the standards of modern police dog training, ensuring that every team they work with performs predictably, effectively, and safely in the field.
Ethridge “Jimmy” Hall & Jacob Baroff
Class Title - Tactical Canine Development (TACDEV) - NEW CLASS
Basic K9 Integration:
The basic course will provide the training and equipment needed for the K9 team to fully integrate with
a tactical element. The K9 teams will learn move with a tactical element, conduct breaching from a
stacked formation, and free flow room clearing techniques. Laser and Long Line Deployment Techniques, Tactical Area Search, and Advanced K9 Integration will also be covered.
BIO:
Ethridge “Jimmy” Hall
He has 32 years of law enforcement experience, 28 of those in canine operations. Jimmy has served as a handler, trainer, and supervisor, and he was the canine training program manager for a 50-dog unit. Jimmy has supervised training for multiple canine disciplines, including patrol, narcotics detection, explosives detection, therapy assistance, arson accelerant detection, and Bloodhound teams. He is responsible for standing up a human remains detection and disaster SAR K9 program. He also spent the last seven years developing a tactical K9 program, which consists of four K9 teams integrated into the SWAT Team.Currently, Jimmy is the Director of Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research Security and Tactics at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. His responsibilities include creating partnerships with academic institutions andorganizations to study the use of working dogs in public safety.
Jacob Baroff
He is the head trainer for the K9 SWAT, Bloodhound, EOD, and Narcotics programs at a local law enforcement agency, as well as the owner and lead trainer of Dark Shadows Canine. Bringing years of expertise from both the K9 and SWAT worlds, Jacob has built a strong reputation as both a skilled operator and visionary trainer. With a career spanning service as a K9 handler, FDLE trainer, evaluator, and supervisor, Jacob has played a key role in developing and refining tactical K9 programs for the better part of 10 years. He oversees specialized units, ensuring teams are prepared for real-world, high-risk deployments. His hands-on training style, leadership, and mentorship have made him an influential figure in both law enforcement and military canine communities. Jacob has trained alongside elite military K9 units, integrating their best practices into law enforcement operations to strengthen tactical readiness. Holding numerous certifications in canine training, firearms, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction, he continues to push the boundaries of tactical K9
Mike McHenry
Class 1 - Certification does not prepare you for the Reality of the street: A comparison and discussion of the need for and to be certified, but training needs to focus on the reality of canine deployments and usages. Certification is a must but it does not prepare a canine team for the reality of the streets. We will give training ideas, tips on how to balance the two a be ready for reality
Class 2 - Canine Supervisor Class: Managing a canine unit, picking a canine for the unit, picking a handler for the department, policy, case law, report writing, records keeping, the must / need to have accountability and supervision of the canine unit
BIO:
Owner & Lead Trainer of F.M. K9 LLC
· Over 25 years in the canine field and industry, US Army Combat-Veteran - 8 years, BSA Criminal Justice
· Master Degree Psychology
· 11 years on SWAT - 3 1/2 years as SWAT Commander - worked canine with SWAT team, 22 plus years in law enforcement - retired , 10 years as a shift commander / supervisor in Law Enforcement , 18 1/2 years as a canine handler, 18 years supervisor experience of canine unit , DRE / SFST Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Expert witness in canine state, local & federal court's
· Over twenty years experience training canine for explosive detection, narcotics detection, patrol-utility work, SAR, Cadaver, for local, state, federal and military
· Instruct Decoy Basic skills for over fifteen years
· Beer Sponsor for the 2026 Hold the Line K9 Conference
Mike Swirchak & Bryan Bull
Class Description : K9 Overwatch (Eyes in the sky, Teeth on the ground)
Covering how to acclimate k9 teams to drones, practical training and operational considerations. From tracking to building searches etc.
BIO : Mike Swirchak
- Owner of Ridgeside K9 eastern Carolina and Raleigh
- 10 years Police K9 in manassas Va (worked 2 dual purpose dogs
- 6 months contracting for DOS (Iraq)
- 3 years contacting OGA (Iraq, Afghanistan and other)
- 3 years head trainer at GardaWorld Federal services where I supervised police training and was the head instructor for the MARSOC contract.
Bryon Bull
With nearly 15 years in law enforcement as a K9 handler and trainer, Bryan has dedicated his career to working with dogs at the highest levels. As a PMC, He’s completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as both a handler and lead trainer in demanding operational environments.
Bryan went on to run K9 programs for the Department of Defense and Department of State, where he served as a Multi-Purpose K9 Trainer, Program Manager, and Training Director.
Today, Bryan owns Old Line Canine Services in Maryland, where he helps dog owners transform their pets through personalized training and specialized behavior modification, especially for dogs with challenging behavioral issues.
Jenna Gadberry
Class Title : Advice from the Nerd Herd: How to choose, store, and use training aids for maximum K9 performance
Detection dog teams rely on the science of odor as much as they rely on training and technique. Yet, many common problems in K9 work — inconsistent responses, false alerts, and contamination issues — often trace back to the training aids themselves rather than the dog. This presentation bridges laboratory science and practical field work to help handlers, trainers, and supervisors get the most from their dogs by getting the most from their training aids.
Participants will learn how to select the right training aids for their mission, how different materials and packaging influence odor availability, and how storage conditions affect stability and safety. Real-world examples will be used to demonstrate how small changes in handling can dramatically improve reliability, reduce cross-contamination, and strengthen the dog’s final response.
This session is designed for both new and experienced K9 teams working in narcotics, explosives, wildlife, human remains, or other detection specialties. Handlers will gain confidence in identifying problem areas, setting up their aids correctly, and troubleshooting performance issues. Hear it from the “nerd herd” — scientists who study, handle, and work with detection dogs — and walk away with tools you can use the very next training day.
BIO:
Mrs. Jenna Gadberry is a contract Scientist at the US Army Futures Command’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM-CBC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. Mrs. Gadberry earned her B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of California at Davis in 2003 and enjoyed a 12 year career at the DoD’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) where she was a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and program coordinator for two Technical Support Working Groups (TSWGs). Since 2016, Mrs. Gadberry has been part of the Olfactory Sciences Team, working on enhancing canine detection capabilities. She now manages a diverse portfolio of active Military Working Dog projects (everything from olfaction to wearables and decon solutions), specializing in the spiral development process of getting applied research and development solutions into end-user’s hands.