Steve Stoops

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Class: K-9 Intensification and Problem Solving

More information to come…

Dr. Lisa T. Briggs has served many years in the applied field, is a criminologist, an active K-9 trainer and handler and is the Director of the Cadaver K9 Training Facility at Western Carolina University. As the lead instructor for the WCU HRD K9 training program, Edwin Grant brings a long-standing career in law enforcement and has trained and handled almost all specializations of K-9s, including bomb, tracking, trailing and air scent. For the last decade plus, Edwin and Lisa have teamed together in the area of HRD K-9s.

Edwin and Lisa are search and recovery specialists for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and utilize K-9s in most of their work with active cases. They are also on the Department of Homeland Security Reunification Team and both have law enforcement K-9s and are a part of the State Bureau of Investigations HRD K9 Task Force. They deploy all over the country, as well as outside of the United States, and they are eager to share some of their lessons learned (many the hard way) with those interested in the discipline.

Class: Human Remains Detection K-9s: Lessons Learned

With over 50 combined years of experience in law enforcement, criminal justice and specifically missing person’s recovery, Dr. Lisa Briggs and Officer Edwin Grant bring a wealth of knowledge to discussions through “lessons learned” from training and deployments in the specialization of human remains recovery with the use of detection K9s. The two are raising awareness of weakness in the field and make a ‘call out’ to law enforcement K-9 handlers to consider the challenging, but rewarding, work in a fairly new discipline – that until recently was manned only by volunteers. Their presentation will also include K-9 and handler tips and tragedies.

Eric Byrd is the National Channel Manager for Kinetic Performance Dog Food with a focus on Police/Military K-9 teams across the country. Eric has been working closely with K-9 teams for the past 8 years and has grown and developed relationships with multiple agencies and teams. Eric is an avid Quail Hunter and has been training English Pointers for 20+ years. He started his pursuit of dog food nutrition after experiencing issues in his kennel that were hard to explain (low energy, decreased stamina, long recovery periods and messy kennels). In his pursuit of answers to these issues, Eric discovered Kinetic Performance Dog Food after many discussions with manufacturers across the Pet Food industry. Immediately his kennel saw the results of what superior dog food nutrition can do and the many benefits the dogs experienced when the calorie/nutrient rich nutritional profile was being fed.

Eric then joined the Kinetic Team in 2021 and has traveled the country giving canine nutritional classes and seminars to Police K-9 teams, Military K-9 teams and Bird Dog Field Trialers. His personal approach and experiences with dogs and their food weave together a nutritional class experience that is both fun and informative, giving each handler a better understanding about the Pet Food Industry and the ingredients they put into their K-9s.

K-9 Nutrition: Is Your Dog on the Right Fuel and How Do You Know?

Does your dog itch continuously, lose hair, have a dull-stiff or brittle coat or show signs of coat dander or flaking? Do you feed him 5-6-7-8 cups of food or more a day to maintain his weight? Does your dog’s stool look like a cow patty, are they gassy? There is a reason for this and you don’t have to look much further than the bag of food…

This is a fast paced, interactive class that teaches the student; how to read a nutritional label, define what “that” ingredient is. How to tell a good dog food from a bargain brand and understand how minerals and vitamins get depleted in a K9 Officer and pictures of what happens when you don’t replace the nutrients. You don’t fuel a high-performance car or motorcycle with low octane gas and expect it to reach peak perform and it is the same with your K9 Athlete.

By the end of the class you will be armed with the ability to look at your canine and see the effects of poor diet and what changes you can do to correct them.

Lanie DeLong is the current Senior Instructor at K2 Solutions, Inc located in Southern Pines, NC. She joined K2 in 2018 as a PB-EDD handler, became a trainer and instructor in 2020 and now she oversees and instructs person-borne EDD, single purpose EDD, MPC and client and internal handler courses as the Senior Instructor. 

Lanie started her law enforcement career in Colorado in 2004 after getting her BS in microbiology and equine science. Having spent time in patrol, FTO, firearms, and K-9, Lanie became owner/operator of Blue Dog K9 and bred, trained and instructed handlers in many areas of detection and patrol/protection and was a member K-9 handler on USAR COTF-1.

www.k2si.com

Class: Person-Borne Explosives Detection Canines

K2 has developed the Person-Borne Explosive Detection Canine (PB-EDC) capability, through which canines are trained to recognize a scent trail signature on a mobile target. This capability unmasks the growing threat of hidden, yet mobile, explosives and puts detection in the hands of security units. It is a non-threatening effective way of searching locations such as mass-transit hubs, schools, universities, sporting events, and locations that would host a large crowd.

Simon Boylett is currently an Advisor / Instructor for the Special Security Forces Command, Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Bahrain. He has over 22 years of experience working with the Police Force, specifically with police dogs.

Class: Off-Leash and Underground Searches

The Explosives Detection Section at the Bahraini Police Dog Unit has extensive knowledge and experience in Off-Leash searches using a laser pointer. Incorporated with Off-Leash searches, Explosives Detection Police Dogs are also trained to detect explosive odors up to 30 cm underground. The Police Dog Unit for the Kingdom of Bahrain is happy to share its years long off-leash and underground search experience with conference attendees and provide them with alternate search methods and training techniques.

Class Topics:

  1. Off Leash searches using a laser pointer:

• Training methods and techniques
• Goals and benefits
• Demonstrating examples from previous experiences (videos)

  2. Underground Searches up to 30 cm deep:

• Training methods
• Goals and benefits
• Demonstrating examples from previous experiences (videos)

For more than 20 years, Joris Kerckhof served and instructed in the military, private security and federal police and developed an intimate knowledge in canine operations from puppy to retirement during that time. From detection services to crowd control and tactical operations, they have been and are confident in the ability to tailor canine training to achieve the desired result. Be it a personal pet, an at-home protection dog, Police K-9 or Military multi-purpose canine, we believe in developing brave dogs who meld with their families or partners to not only be of service but also provide loyal companionship. Born from strife and out of love, Belgium’s Finest K9 is built upon the tried-and-true methods and techniques founder Joris Kerckhof personally learned and applied as a Belgian Federal Police canine handler. BFK9 specializes in the use of NePoPo® training system developed by Michael & Bart Bellon and equipment in combination with the representation and distribution of Martin System® equipment. Julius Caesar once said, “Horum omnium fortissimi sunt Belgae.” The English translation is, “Of all these, the Belgians are the bravest.” And from our experience, none so more than our dogs

Class: NePoPo® *Live-Demonstration using dogs*

NePoPo® the modern way of dog training

Jake Wright served in the United States Marine Corps, which gave him the opportunity to see all the capabilities a K-9 can offer. This inspired him to train dogs both for civilians and law enforcement over the last 10 years, allowing him to come up with a true balanced training approach. During that time, he competed in sports IPO (Schutzhund), PSA and became a certified PSA decoy. Currently, he is the Owner and Head Trainer at Precision K9 Work in Austin, Texas. He and his staff work daily with handlers in law enforcement and clients with family dogs. This requires a knowledge of various training techniques and full understanding of canine behavior. He is very passionate about canine education and his mission is to make sure K-9 handlers and dog owners get the proper training. Visit precisionk9work.com

Class: Teaching the Out Command

This class will cover step by step instruction on teaching a clean and clear “out command. Not just how to get out from a tug but also off a decoy and in high stress situations. Many problems occur when starting to teach the out command, including conflict and stress with our dogs. Learn step by step instruction with dogs in a real-time demonstration.

Class: The Art of Remote Collar Introduction and Problem Solving

Remote collars are a great way to get the off leash control and reliability we all want. This class will teach the step-by-step approach on starting a dog in the remote collar and how we can get the off leash reliability. Along the way, we will cover misconceptions about remote collar training and discuss problem solving and troubleshooting solutions that may arise when using the remote collar.

ICRWDA President and Wynn Resorts K9 Program Manager Ryan Millbern has over 17 years of K-9 management, training and handling experience within Law Enforcement, High Threat Overseas Security Contracting and Domestic Security Operations. This experience includes standing up new K-9 programs, existing K-9 program assessment and improvement protocols, creating K-9 program specific corporate and law enforcement policies/SOPs, developing operational deployment strategies and establishing K-9 and handler testing and selection procedures.

Ryan has also trained scores of Police, Contract and Security working dogs and handlers in numerous disciplines including explosives detection, narcotics detection, wildlife conservation detection, human remains detection, bed bug detection, scent discriminate trailing, patrol apprehension and personal protection. He has obtained Trainer and Handler certifications from various entities including ATF, DEA, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, Colorado Police Canine Association, North American Police Work Dog Association, United States Police Canine Association, Southern Coast K9, Silver State K9, Ford K9 Training, and Hill Country Dog Center. Additionally, Ryan more than doubled sales and dramatically increased product quality, educational enrichment, brand reputation and integrity during his tenure as the Director of Working Dog Operations with a struggling Police K-9 Handler School/Trainer school in North Carolina.

Ryan is a retired Police Officer, North Carolina Board of Community Colleges approved Police K-9 Master Trainer School Instructor, a human borne explosives decoy currently supporting TSA’s National Explosives Detection Canine Training Program (NEDCTP) at airports across the United States and presently holds a federal security clearance. Ryan is also proud to serve as the Senior Program Manager of K-9 Operations for Wynn Resorts Las Vegas, overseeing a large multi-threat vector K-9 Unit tasked with the protection of over 13,000 employees and guests across the sprawling Forbes 5-Star rated resort.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL CASINO & RESORT WORKING DOG ASSOCIATION

ICRWDA is the world’s leading hospitality and resort security focused K-9 association. ICRWDA’s mission is to support Casino, Resort and Private Security K-9 handlers with cost-free professional training and to provide K-9 Subject Matter Experts to any entity in the hospitality/resort/tourism industry looking to create new K-9 programs or to improve their existing K-9 assets. ICRWDA also provides scholarship opportunities for Security and Law Enforcement K-9 teams to attend K-9 training conferences across the globe. ICRWDA is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit organization. For more information visit us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or www.ICRWDA.org

Class: Reality Based K-9 Training and US Based Operations for LE/Commercial Explosives Detection Teams

The demand for competent explosives detection teams in the United States is growing exponentially, yet the bulk of EDD teams across the nation remain undertrained, underfunded and underutilized. Are you and your dog truly ready to face today’s explosive threat environment? Do your training techniques reflect what you actually face? Join ICRWDA President and Wynn Resorts K9 Program Manager, Ryan Millbern, as he covers RBT protocols that are specific to modern explosives detection K-9 teams including planning, documentation, safety protocols, K-9 vs Handler learning objectives, Single Purpose vs Dual Purpose K-9s and cost-effective, real-world training scenarios designed to increase capabilities and confidence. Ryan will also be discussing best practice operational techniques for US based LE and commercial explosive detection teams to maximize capabilities with limited EDD resources to better address current explosive threats to the US homeland. Topics will include proactive vs reactive sweeps in commercial environments, area prioritization, post-blast search protocols and communications with venue management, LE and Bomb Squad personnel.

Dave Reese is the CEO of 3 International companies and a boarding kennel in Chicago: K-9, INC (police and military green dog sales), International Scent Solutions (K-9 consulting), ShipMyPets.com (working dog and pet logistics) and VIP PET HOTELS (boarding kennel). Dave is a Certified Master Trainer with 33 years of experience in the K-9 Security and Defense Industry. He has worked with agencies in over 25 countries including Madrid, London, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Mexico, Scotland, Hong Kong, Canada, Indonesia, Australia, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and many others.

Dave specializes in consulting, green dog sales, import/export of working dog and pet logistics, scent detection, training, handling, kenneling and specialty training. He has consulted for governments and international organizations and has lived and traveled throughout the world to work with police, military, private sector security and anti-terrorist experts.

Dave is a law enforcement Training and Standards Board Master Canine Instructor, a Master Anti-Terrorism Specialist, published author and patent holder. He wrote the first private sector laws for the K-9 Industry and has worked on special projects in the scientific research and development of working dogs.

Class: Applied Natural and Biological Systems of Working Dogs

In this class, we’ll be discussing how environmental acclimation/stimulation and different applied training methods effect working dogs. We will teach understanding of classical conditioning VS operant conditioning, true drives compared to learned drives, biological systems of working dogs, K-9 body language and how they all affect K-9 training.

Kevin Beck is the Vice President of Canine Training Operations for Global K9 Protection Group. He currently oversees the training and operations for over 320 canine teams deployed across the United States. Kevin is a former United States Marine Corps Canine Instructor, Trainer, Handler and Supervisor for Department of Defense/Federal Air Aviation Explosive Dog Program at Lackland, AFB, Texas. Kevin is a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy Institute, West Virginia and the F.B.I.’s Hazardous Device School (EOD) at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama.

Kevin is a retired Wilmington Police Officer and was the owner/operator of Becks K9 Service, where he supplied canines to the US Customs and Border Patrol, US Capitol Police, US Embassy in Guatemala and Mexico and the Department of Homeland Security to include the Special Operations Command of the US Navy and US Army.

Kevin holds certifications as an Instructor through the DoD Instructor Academy at Lackland AFB and is a Master Trainer with the United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA) and a National Trainer and Judge with the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA). Additionally, Kevin is qualified by the State of North Carolina as an Expert Witness in Law Enforcement Canine Training and Operation Procedures.

Kevin travels throughout the United States and to multiple countries to hand test and procure all canines for Global K9 Solutions. Kevin has tested and selected thousands of active canines across the United States of America and across the Globe.

Class: K-9 Procurement 101

We’ll be discussing the 25 years of procuring dogs from Western and Eastern Europe and the pros and cons of purchasing dogs in Europe. The overall goal of this class is to educate to the attendees on the proper selection of dogs using the methodology of nerve strength verses retrieve drive and the fact that drive will mask over weak nerves in a dog. This class will focus on both single purpose dogs and dual purpose dogs and how using the nerve strength methodology instead of drive will enable the attendee to select a far better single or dual purpose candidate for their K-9 program.