Who We Are
K9 Command is located in Vale, North Carolina. K9 Command’s training center has a 4000 square foot large indoor training room, . We are located on right on NC 18 close to South Mountains State Park. K9 Command also has 8.5 acres of outdoor training fields just 1.5 miles from the training center. K9 Command’s list of satisfied clients are spread across the southeast and beyond.
AMY CONNOLLY
With a love of all creatures for as long as she can remember, Amy began to pursue her dream of a career with dogs in 1992. Originally from Shelby, NC, she began her animal career in Charlotte. All of her life she was told that she needed to become a veterinarian. After several months of work at Mallard Creek Animal Hospital in Charlotte, she decided that her heart was too tender to work with sick animals. That is when she discovered the world of dog training. Through dog training, she is able to feel like the fictional Dr. Doolittle, one of her favorite children’s book characters. She has developed a way of communicating with dogs through her training. She sees dog training as learning a new language, one that the owner and dog learn together. While teaching herself Spanish, she has realized the importance of practicing a new language throughout daily life. If a new language(or activity) is brought into your everyday life, it becomes a routine, an integral part of your life, not just an activity you “used to do”.
With a love of all creatures for as long as she can remember, Amy began to pursue her dream of a career with dogs in 1992. Originally from Shelby, NC, she began her animal career in Charlotte. All of her life she was told that she needed to become a veterinarian. After several months of work at Mallard Creek Animal Hospital in Charlotte, she decided that her heart was too tender to work with sick animals. That is when she discovered the world of dog training. Through dog training, she is able to feel like the fictional Dr. Doolittle, one of her favorite children’s book characters. She has developed a way of communicating with dogs through her training. She sees dog training as learning a new language, one that the owner and dog learn together. While teaching herself Spanish, she has realized the importance of practicing a new language throughout daily life. If a new language(or activity) is brought into your everyday life, it becomes a routine, an integral part of your life, not just an activity you “used to do”.
MARK CONNOLLY
A former Police K9 handler and K9 Training Director for multiple departments, Mark brings a lot of experience handling and training different types of dogs. During Mark’s law enforcement career he handled two dual-purpose German Shepherd dogs. K9 Janick and K9 Cliff have both passed over the “rainbow bridge”. Mark is active in the North American Police Working Dog Association and trained and had certified many dogs to the NAPWDA national standards.
Mark has helped teach Police K9 officers how to handle and train their partners to certification levels and also turned suppressed K9 units into respected divisions of their departments. Mark has gained the respect of many veteran K9 trainers and handlers throughout the country.
On April 11th, 2005 Mark and Amy’s life changed forever. Mark and K9 Cliff were involved in a vehicle pursuit of three gang members that came to an abrupt halt at a dead end road. The vehicle chase ended violently in a gunfight where Mark was shot three times by the armed and fleeing suspects. By the grace of God, the bullet that could have fatally wounded Mark was stopped by his bullet-resistant vest.
Although his love for the job has never died, nor has his willingness to pursue injustice, Mark’s role as a Police Officer has changed slightly. Along with helping Law Enforcement agencies with their K9 teams, he also pursues each opportunity to make all dogs’ better members of their community through training and education of their owners.
Mark actively volunteers for several local animal shelters and humane societies. He also volunteers as a board member on the Lincoln County Animal Advisory Board and the Dangerous Dog Board.
Mark also volunteers his time to the International Association of Canine Professionals as the Secretary of the IACP Legislative Committee.
A former Police K9 handler and K9 Training Director for multiple departments, Mark brings a lot of experience handling and training different types of dogs. During Mark’s law enforcement career he handled two dual-purpose German Shepherd dogs. K9 Janick and K9 Cliff have both passed over the “rainbow bridge”. Mark is active in the North American Police Working Dog Association and trained and had certified many dogs to the NAPWDA national standards.
Mark has helped teach Police K9 officers how to handle and train their partners to certification levels and also turned suppressed K9 units into respected divisions of their departments. Mark has gained the respect of many veteran K9 trainers and handlers throughout the country.
On April 11th, 2005 Mark and Amy’s life changed forever. Mark and K9 Cliff were involved in a vehicle pursuit of three gang members that came to an abrupt halt at a dead end road. The vehicle chase ended violently in a gunfight where Mark was shot three times by the armed and fleeing suspects. By the grace of God, the bullet that could have fatally wounded Mark was stopped by his bullet-resistant vest.
Although his love for the job has never died, nor has his willingness to pursue injustice, Mark’s role as a Police Officer has changed slightly. Along with helping Law Enforcement agencies with their K9 teams, he also pursues each opportunity to make all dogs’ better members of their community through training and education of their owners.
Mark actively volunteers for several local animal shelters and humane societies. He also volunteers as a board member on the Lincoln County Animal Advisory Board and the Dangerous Dog Board.
Mark also volunteers his time to the International Association of Canine Professionals as the Secretary of the IACP Legislative Committee.
Our up an coming assistant trainers, Mackenzie & Landon
