Home » MEET THE TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Ali Hemyari
Position:
■Director of K-9 Special Ops – Tactical Rescue ■Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified is 100, 200, 700, 800b ■Airman, Federal Aviation Administration ■Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Tennessee Education: ■University of Tennessee Knoxville – Marketing/Finance ■Certified Professional Sales Trainer & Speaker – The Southwestern Company ■Federal Licensed Banking Lender Certifications: ■Aircraft Pilot, Federal Aviation Administration ■S.W.A.T. K-9 School, Knoxville, TN Police Dept. ■AKC Certified Evaluator ■K-9 Handler, National Police Canine Assoc.
■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) ■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 for the professional rescuer ■First Aid for the professional rescuer ■AED for the professional rescuer ■Authorized Pet First Aid Instructor, American Red Cross ■Licensed State of TN Police Dog Vendor
Member Of:
■Member, PBA Police Capitol Hill Chapter ■Member, Fraternal Order of Police ■Member, Tennessee Tactical Officers Association ■Member, Nashville K-9 DVG Schutzhund ■Member, TN Valley Working Dogs ■Member, TN Association of Rescue Squads ■Member, Service Dogs of America (SDA) ■Member, National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) Ali Hemyari is the only civilian K-9 trainer in the state of Tennessee that has completed and graduated a police mandated S.W.A.T. K-9 School that is recognized by the National Tactical Officers’ Association (NTOA K-9). His vast experience and knowledge comes from the discipline of a Schutzhund and KNPV background with the integration of government K-9 applications. He has trained all across the United States with various dogs stemming from small Chihuahuas to large Mastiffs. 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 and his affiliations quench his thirst for ongoing knowledge and learning. Ali is a certified AKC Evaluator.

John Poland
Position:
■Obedience Trainer, Decoy, Helper ■Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified is 100, 200, 700, 800b ■K-9 Mazda (Labrador Retreiver, Black), SAR Wilderness Trailing Education: ■University of Tennessee 2005 ■Originally From: Kingston , Tn ■Federal Licensed Banking Lender ■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 ■President, Nashville K-9 DVG Schutzhund ■Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4
Favorite Breeds: Labrador Retriever and Belgian Malinois. Mazda was rescued in June 2006. She was a little rough around the edges but since then has become an excellent companion. She is excellent around all individuals especially children. She loves to go to training and the dog park and is very affectionate enjoying all dogs as friends. She is more inquisitive than intrusive, she loves to roam through plastic bags or purses. She also loves going to Nursing homes to visit and spend time with those who do not always have visitors. If you would like to see Mazda come out to the dog park or training and she would love to have you pet her.

Jessica Baba
Position:
■K-9 Handler, Denia (black/tan GSD, Air Scent Live Find, Area/Wilderness)■Department of Homeland Security (DHS/FEMA) certified is 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, Nashville K-9 DVG Schutzhund ■Member, Homeland Security Task Force 4

Nick Wolkonsky
Position:
■K-9 Handler ■Law Enforcement Officer in the State of Tennessee ■Emma, Doberman Pinscher, Obedience Department of Homeland Security Ceritifications: ■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 ■FBI, TBI, Homeland Security, Metro Police clearances
Certifications:
■Nashville Dog Training Club Level 3 Obedience Training ■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 ■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)

Sandy Pope
Position:
■Mentor ■TN Valley DVG Schutzhund Secretary Member Of: ■Member, United Schutzhund Clubs of America ■Member, United Doberman Club ■Member, Tennessee Valley Working Dogs
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
Position:
■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.

Arthur Cragg
Position:
■Kennel Manager Arthur is a young, new contributor to the family here at Nashville K-9. Helping with training and learning all that he can, he oversees the boarding and grooming of dogs, while managing the upkeep of the facility. Arthur is a dog lover born and raised in Nashville and a Brentwood High graduate.