As the training director at Nashville K-9, Ali oversees all company operations on a daily basis. He’ll make sure your dog’s training program fits your needs and produces results beyond your highest expectations.
He enjoys participating in triathlons, SCUBA diving, flying helicopters and airplanes, and traveling the world.
As a philanthropist, he donates hundreds of hours each year to middle Tennessee communities, police departments, and humane organizations.
Ali is the only civilian K-9 trainer in the state of Tennessee that has completed and graduated from a police mandated S.W.A.T. K-9 School recognized by the National Tactical Officers’ Association (NTOA K-9). As a tenured police officer, he has commanded multiple police department K-9 teams and two rescue squad K-9 teams with a total of over 40 handlers under his direction. His vast experience and knowledge come from the discipline of a working/sport dog background along with the integration of government K-9 applications. He has trained dogs across the nation, from the smallest of Chihuahuas to the largest of Mastiffs, and his participation in several trials and trainings across the world has led him to be considered one of the best trainers in the southeast United States. Ali is also a certified AKC Evaluator.
POSITION
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified IS 100, 200, 700, 800b
- Airman, Federal Aviation Administration
- 2nd Lieutenant, United States Air Force CAP
EDUCATION
- University of Tennessee Knoxville – Marketing/Finance
- Certified Professional Sales Trainer & Speaker – The Southwestern Company
CERTIFICATIONS
- Helicopter Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration
- Airplane Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration
- S.W.A.T. School, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy
- S.W.A.T. K-9 School, Knoxville, TN Police Dept.
- S.W.A.T. K-9 School, Southaven, MS Police Dept.
- AKC Certified Evaluator
- K-9 Handler, National Police Canine Association
- K-9 Handler, International Police Working Dog Association
- K-9 Unit Director, Millersville Police Department
- K-9 Unit Director, Livingston Police Department Special Operations
- K-9 Unit Director, Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 Tactical Rescue
- K-9 Unit Director, Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 Tactical Rescue
- Canine Tactical School, West Covina, CA Police Dept. (CATS)
- S.W.A.T. and K-9 Interacting During Deployment School, West Covina, CA Police Dept. (SKIDDS)
- Certified Helper, United Schutzhund Clubs of America
- Training Director, Nashville Working Dogs – A USA Schutzhund certified club
- Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4
- EVOC Certified, Berry Hill Police Dept.
- Trained- collapse, confined space, and trench rescue, Nashville Fire Dept.
- Trained, cadaver water dragging
- CPR, First Aid, AED for the professional rescuer
- Certified SCUBA Diver, PADI
- Authorized Pet First Aid Instructor, American Red Cross
MEMBER OF
- Member, PBA Police Capitol Hill Chapter
- Member, Fraternal Order of Police
- Member, Tennessee Tactical Officers Association
- Member, Nashville Working Dogs Schutzhund
- Member, TN Association of Rescue Squads
- Member, National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)
- Member, National Narcotics Detector Dog Association (NNDDA)
Damon is the General Manager and Head Trainer at Nashville K-9. He oversees and has a hand in the training of every dog that comes through our doors as well as the day-to-day work of our kennel technicians and dedicated trainers.
About Damon:
Damon has played rugby for over a decade and also enjoys sailing, rock climbing, and traveling to new places.
He graduated from MTSU with a B.S. in Psychology and minors in both Philosophy and History.
As a Combat Engineer in the United States Marine Corps, Damon was involved in peace keeping missions in countries all over the world including Iraq, S. Korea, Japan, and Kuwait.
Always looking to improve and grow in his training and knowledge of dogs, Damon is dedicated to learning and mastering new philosophies and techniques that will help him provide our clients with the best training service possible.
POSITION
- K-9 Handler, Davidson County Rescue Squad
- Trainer
- Combat Engineer, United States Marine Corps 1999-2003
- Jungle Warfare, 2000
- Marine Corps Rifle Instructor 2000
- Sappers School 2001
- Non-Lethal weapons/Riot Control 2002
- Cold Weather Training 2002
- Operation Enduring Freedom 2002
- Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003
- Certified Helper, United Schutzhund Clubs of America
EDUCATION
- Middle Tennessee State University – Psychology/History
Nick has been a trainer with Nashville K-9 since 2006. He is one of three Nashville K-9 Pet First Aid instructors and offers ongoing instruction at the American Red Cross. Nick’s doberman, Emma, is also one of our demonstration dogs for children’s demonstrations. He volunteers his time as a K-9 handler and officer of the Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 unit, a K-9 handler for the Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 unit, and a police officer for the Millersville Police Department.
As a police detective, he is attached to the criminal investigation division and specializes in cold cases. His law enforcement career spans many years, but his love for dogs is his true passion.
POSTION
- American Red Cross PFA Instructor
- Police Officer in the State of Tennessee
- Emma, Doberman Pinscher, Obedience
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CERTIFICATIONS
- Introduction To Hazardous Materials Response
- Basic Incident Command System IS-200
- National Response Plan (NRP), IS-800.A
- National Incident Management System (NIMS), IS-700
- Incident Command System IS-100
- Hazardous Materials Response
CERTIFICATIONS
- Trained, cadaver water dragging
- AKC Canine Good Citizenship (CGC)Certification
MEMBER OF
- Member, Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- Member, Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- K-9 Handler, Livingston Police Department
- K-9 Handler, Millersville Police Department
- Member, Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads
- Board Member, Doberman Club of Nashville
- Member Nashville Dog Training club
- Member IAADP (International Assoc. of Assistance Dog Partners)
- Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4
- Authorized Pet First Aid Instructor, American Red Cross
- Member, National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)
As a kennel tech and apprentice trainer, Raine’s responsibilities include the daily maintenance of the kennels along with the care of our beloved canine guests. Before diving into the world of dogs, Raine was heavily involved in the equine industry. She has spent 16 years riding horses, training, showing and rehabilitating rescues, including retired racehorses.
She spends her free time studying all things canine, practicing yoga, running, strength training and horseback riding.
Raine has completed her American Red Cross Pet First Aid certification and will be adding many more canine related certifications to her resume as she progresses with the guidance of Nashville K-9!
Dustin is an apprentice trainer at Nashville K-9, engaged in day to day activities and immersing himself in the multiple facets of the dog industry.
Dustin is a native of Naples, FL and has always had a passion for animals. His family is deeply involved with the Florida English Bull Dog Rescue and supportive of their efforts in finding good homes for bull dogs in need. Dustin is a graduate of McKendree University with a degree in marketing and a minor in finance. While attending McKendree, Dustin received a full scholarship, excelling at both football and tennis. Dustin has a beautiful wife and daughter that light up each day of his life and drive him to continued success.
John started with Nashville K-9 in 2006 and has advanced his way into training multiple police, search and rescue, and personal protection dogs. A native of Kingston, TN, John graduated from the University of Tennessee. He’s one of Nashville K-9’s three Pet First Instructors certified by the American Red Cross.
John donates his time back to the community by handling a labrador retriever he rescued named Mazda on the Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 Unit and the Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 Unit. He also enjoys IDPA competitive shooting.
POSITION
- Obedience Trainer, Decoy, Helper
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified ICS 100, 200, 700, 800b
- K-9 Mazda (Labrador Retriever, Black), SAR Wilderness Trailing
EDUCATION
- University of Tennessee 2005
- Originally From: Kingston, TN
- Authorized Pet First Aid Instructor, American Red Cross
MEMBER OF
- Member, Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- Member, Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- Member, Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads
- Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4
Brittany is originally from Huntsville, AL. She attended Cumberland University on a soccer, choir, and mascot scholarship. Since then has received her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, with an emphasis on performance and painting. Her truest passion however is dance! Brittany has been creating with the professional dance company “Found Movement Group” for five years. She trains during the week, and is a choreographer/ mentor for students around the Nashville community. She performs in numerous shows throughout the year and will direct her first full length show “The Moon and The Earth” in April 2017.
Elaine was born in Dublin, Ireland and from a very young age expressed a love for all animals 2-legged, 4-legged, furred and otherwise. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, Pre-Veterinary concentration. Working with animals the majority of her life, she has worked as a vet assistant in multiple veterinary clinics. She has also worked as a boarding technician, doggy daycare technician, and boarding manager at two different pet resorts. Elaine joined the Nashville K-9 Team to expand and refine her dog training knowledge having previous taught group basic obedience classes.
Since 2013, Elaine volunteers and is the Foster/Rescue and Medical Services Manager for Nashville PITTIE and is responsible for coordinating medical for all dogs in the program and acts as the Foster parent liaison. During this time, she also has volunteered with Animal Rescue Corp and assisted with medical treatments for animals seized during large scale rescue operations from hoarding situations, puppy mills, and dog fighting operations. She has also been a foster parent for Nashville PITTIE and The Ray Pack Rescue.
Elaine has completed her American Red Cross Pet First Aid certification, and Level 1 and Level 2 of Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center certifications. She hopes to further her canine knowledge and obtain additional certifications through her employment with Nashville K-9.
Beth has been a life-long student. She has been a high school counselor, a tax accountant, and now a kennel technician (aka aspiring trainer). One consistent thing in her life is her love of animals, especially dogs. In her spare time, Beth enjoys hiking, strength training, and spending time in the mountains.
Jessica is an obedience trainer and demonstrator for Nashville K-9. She’s been an integral part of the training team since 2006. Prior to Nashville K-9, she trained in obedience in southern California where she was raised. She attended UC Berkley as an undergrad and completed law school at the University of San Diego. She enjoys hiking, kickboxing, and culinary arts.
Jessica volunteers her time giving back to her community by handling a german shepherd named Denia for wilderness Search and Rescue. She’s an active K-9 handler for both the Davidson County Rescue Squad and the Overton County Rescue Squad. Jessica is licensed to practice law in Tennessee.
POSITION
- Attorney, K-9 SAR Instructor, Denia (black/tan GSD, Air Scent Live Find, Area/Wilderness)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified ICS 100, 200, 700, 800b
- German Shepherd SAR and US&R/ Obedience Trainer
EDUCATION
- University of California at Berkeley 2003
- CA Dept. of Justice, Office of the AG
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) Cold Case Homicide Unit
- University of San Diego School of Law 2006
- San Diego City Attorney’s Office
- Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO)
- Licensed to practice law in Tennessee
MEMBER OF
- Member, Davidson County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- Member, Overton County Rescue Squad K-9 SAR
- Member, Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads
- Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4
