Meet the Trainers
ALI HEMYARI
VIP Training Director
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.
DAMON MCCOOK
General Manager & Head Trainer
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.
NICK WOLKONSKY
Trainer
JOHN POLAND
Trainer
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.
JESSICA BABA
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.
HOLLY RAINE MITCHELL
Trainer
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
BETH CLAYTON
Kennel Technician and Apprentice Trainer
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.
CASEY WAGNER
Dog Walker
Casey has always had a passion for animals. In 2008 she began volunteering for Williamson County Animal Shelter walking dogs. From there she went on to volunteer/work at Love At First Sight placing unwanted litters of kittens and puppies into loving homes. She then moved up to working as a vet assistant at Murphy Road Animal Hospital.
In 2014, Casey found her passion in rescue, volunteering with Nashville Pittie as the rescue assistant and owner surrender intervention manager. During this time she also had the opportunity to volunteer with Animal Rescue Corp and assist with large animal scale rescues such as removing animals from hoarders homes, puppy mills and dog fight rings.
BRITTANY KOKEN
Kennel Technician and Apprentice Trainer
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.
CODY WALDEN
Apprentice Trainer
Cody joined us in the fall of 2015. He’s one of our star kennel technicians, insuring a clean facility and healthy dogs. He’s originally from coastal Georgia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Justice studies. The majority of Cody’s dog experience comes from gun dogs, hounds, and herding breeds.
Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Trap & Sporting Clays, Guitar, Dog Training
JACOB HUGHEY
Helicopter Pilot and Kennel Technician
Jake is the Master Pilot for Nashville K-9, having joined us in the spring of 2015. He has an enormous passion for dogs and enjoys his daily interactions with our clients’ furry friends. As a Certificated Flight Instructor and Commercial Pilot, you can rest assured when your four legged pal is flying with Jake, he is in the best care and will arrive at his destination safely. When he’s not busy flying, Jake serves as a Kennel Technician at Nashville K-9.
SANDY POPE
Mentor
Sandy Pope is an expert on the Doberman Pinscher breed. Her dream is to re-establish the respectful reputation that is due the Doberman and return them to the services which they have been bred for. She has bred, raised, and trained dogs for over 25 years and competes in regional Schutzhund trials all across the United States. She has completed several Schutzhund titles, including titling to ScH 3 from a puppy.
JOEY LEIGH
Schutzhund Mentor
Joey is a Schutzhund trainer. He has helped Schutzhund competitors and helpers become stronger and faster. On occasion, we bring Joey to help with seminars and demonstrations.
ELAINE STUHRMANN
Apprentice Trainer
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.
DUSTIN DAVID
Apprentice Trainer
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.
