~Roger Caras~
Graham is the Founder, CEO and Training Director of Specialty Dog Training™. He is the proud recipient of the 10News Leadership Award, Waggy Award for Animal Welfare, American Red Cross Real Heroes Award and the Honeywell Life Safety Award presented by Larry King. Graham has 17+ years of dog training experience throughout the West Coast; from running rescue organizations to managing and directing pet resorts, helping dogs and their owners better understand one another and rehabilitating dogs that otherwise did not have a chance. Graham specializes in all levels of obedience training, as well as dog behavior, aggression cases, service dog training, consulting and public speaking. Graham and his wife, Kyrie, are the founders of Shelter to Soldier, a CA 501c3 nonprofit, to help serve our military men and women suffering from combat-related PTSD and to continue their work in helping rescue dogs. To read more about Graham, click here.
Kyrie is the Co-Founder, Vice President and Director or Operations of Specialty Dog Training™ and Shelter to Soldier. Working behind the scenes, Kyrié is constantly in motion working in all facets of our organizations. She is someone that wears many hats well and is a real asset. Kyrié is also Co-Founder and plays a vital role in our development team for our school, National Academy of Professional Dog Trainers (NAPDT). Though Kyrié is passionate about animals and our veterans, her academic resume is focused on nutritional sciences. To learn more about our Co-Founder, click here.
Nicky Moore is a graduate of Animal Behavior College’s Professional Dog Training Certification program and came to us eager to put her education into practice with the Specialty Dog Training™ and Shelter to Soldier organizations. Originally from Cincinnati, OH, Nicky has a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management. After years of training her own dogs, pet-sitting, and working with animals at a veterinary hospital, she decided to transition her lifelong love of dogs, and over 10 years of customer service experience into a dog training career. Read more about Nicky’s goals and her passion for animals here.
After a successful 10-year career in the animal care industry, working as a kennel technician, obedience training, and working with police K-9s, Stephen joined our team eager to continue his path in professional dog training. He is a graduate of Animal Behavior College’s Certified Professional Dog Training program and has a true passion for helping dogs and clients alike. Stephen is experienced in all aspects of training, from puppy classes, service dog training to rehabilitation of fearful and aggressive dogs. He excels in his communication of training techniques with owners, and creating a special bond with their dogs. To learn more about Stephen and his training background, click here.
Perry Chapman is a US Navy veteran and a graduate of Starmark Academy, a well recognized and respected school teaching and certifying dog trainers in Austin, Texas. Perry has had a lifelong love of dogs and started training them as a child, as it was a requirement from his mother that he and his siblings take their dogs to training classes. Over the years, Perry realized that training and being around dogs made him truly happy. When he’s not training, he loves spending time in the outdoors with his cattle dog, Mika. The pair has backpacked over 1100 miles together and even done a 264 mile canoe trip together. Perry is very excited to further his dog training career and help give back to other veterans via our Shelter to Soldier program.
Julie came to us all the way from Boston, MA. She has been professionally working with dogs fornine years. Julie has taught hundreds of dogs and their owners through group classes and private training lessons. Communication, understanding and teamwork are the basis of her fun training style developed from her unique understanding of dogs and the way they communicate with us and each other. Her skills span from teaching puppy class to advanced obedience and behavior modification. Julie is certified in Pet CPR and First Aid by Pet Tech and is a Canine Good Citizen evaluator. During Julie’s free time, her and her dog, Amstel, enjoy scent work, agility, advanced obedience, dock diving and rally obedience. Amstel and Julie have completed CGC Training and passed their Therapy Dogs International (TDI) exam. She is excited to continue her journey in this rewarding field and expand her field of work through the exciting service dog programs at Specialty Dog Training & Shelter to Soldier.
Vince MartellVince started in the dog industry 5 years ago after moving to San Diego from Philadelphia, PA. Starting off as a animal care attendant, he quickly advanced to the role of doggie daycare supervisor. Vince then transitioned the knowledge of dog behavior that he gained in the kennel, to a career in dog training. He began working with police K9’s and has since begun working in pet-dog obedience training and training assistance dogs with our non-profit organization, Shelter to Soldier. Vince will be graduating of Animal Behavior College
DustinDustin came to Specialty Dog Training after serving 10 years in the United States Marine Corps. As a Military Working Dog handler and trainer, Dustin, specialized in advanced off-leash and tactical obedience training, explosive and narcotic detection, tracking, protection and apprehension training; and worked with multiple special operations units, as well as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Secret Service. He is excited to transfer his experience with working dogs to the pet dog and service dog world, and to help other veterans through the Shelter to Soldier program. When he’s not training dogs, you can find Dustin off-roading in his jeep with his German Shepherd, Zi, and his Belgian Malinois, Riot.
AlaynaWith a background of over 7 years in equine therapy and training, and a K9 Police Officer for a father, as well as 2 dogs and 2 bunnies at home, Alayna has long been caring for animals. After working as a kennel technician for over 3 years, Alayna decided she wanted to learn more about dog behavior and training; and she now assists our full training team with daily training, socialization, exercise and care of our dogs. Upon graduating high school this year, Alayna wants to pursue a career in dog training and has a special interest in working dogs.
Krystyna is the Vice President and CFO of Goodsell and Company CPA firm. She is the financial manager for Specialty Dog Training™, Pacific Pet Resort and Treasurer of Shelter to Soldier.
Krys has a 70 pound male German Shepherd named Cooper that she rescued from Coastal German Shepherd Rescue. Krys is a long time supporter of the rescue group and always has a faithful shepherd by her side. Krystyna is one of the founders and current treasurer of our charity, Shelter to Soldier, and provides all of our accounting needs pro-bono. Her elite financial services help our companies stay on task, follow budgeting guidelines and assist us in reaching our financial goals. Read more about STS Co-Founder and Treasurer, Krystyna Holc here.
Eva is a very welcomed addition to our pack! Eva is the Public Relations Director for Shelter to Soldier and Specialty Dog Training™. Eva specializes in strategic partnerships and helps share the mission of each of our corporate sponsors with local and national media outlets.
Eva Stimson is an award winning marketing communications specialist and is President of EMS Marketing Consulting, Inc., headquartered in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Read more about our Public Relations Director, Eva Stimson, here.
Regardless of your dog's breed, age, personality or history, we can create a customized dog training program that will fit your dog and lifestyle.
