FAQs

We do not guarantee any level of employment, income, or compensation after you finish the course.

In addition to giving you the tools to be a successful dog handler/ trainer, AK9I has taken significant steps in assisting our graduates in securing post-graduation employment. We have created an alumni group of former students and current staff, that can not only share success stories and network with each other, but also use the group to share job opportunities, training opportunities, and other important information.

 

AK9I also has several robust strategic partnerships with other companies that use our students along with their dogs for part time and full-time work. We take it a step further and give a class on career development which touches on possible career paths to take after graduation, as well as how to start your own company, contacts for possible employment, and tips on how to be successful.

You will be certified to the same standards as other nationally recognized 3rd party independently verified standards.  Because we are a nationally accredited post-secondary institution, our certification is nationally recognized.

Depending on the state, and the contract or job you are working, our certification is more than sufficient to satisfy the requirements needed to work with your K-9 partner.

We have classes starting on the first Monday of every month.

We do not perform any sort of background check on students; however, it is important to note that any criminal record may impact your chances of post-graduation employment. We do not discriminate for any reason with regards to being a student. If you can cover the cost of tuition you are welcome to attend.

 

If you have a disability, we will make every reasonable accommodation that allows the safe performance of class activity. Please contact Paul Roushia, our president, if you have any questions regarding this. The only stipulation is that you are required to have a GED or high school diploma prior to attending our course.

At this time, we don’t offer financial aid, but that is in the works. We do however have an interest free payment plan available. Please contact Paul Roushia, our president, for more info on that plan.
We cannot guarantee a specific breed. We typically use GSD, Mals, or Labs.

We source our dogs from established breeders / programs in Europe and domestically. All dogs go through an extensive evaluation process to include radiographs of hips, elbows and spine, medical screenings, environmental testing, and more to see if they have what it takes to be in our program. All dogs come with a one-year health warranty.

Housing is provided for AK9I students at no cost. Students reside in our dormitories located at the Zuni campus. Students are not required to stay in the dormitories while attending training courses. Students may reside off-campus at their own expense.

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the course from your home of record, as well as during the course. AK9I does not provide a shuttle from the dormitories to the kennels which is approximately ten miles in distance.

There is a common area with a TV, coffee table and sofas. We provide free satellite TV and Wi-Fi. There is a fully functioning kitchen. It includes a stove/oven, microwave, coffee maker, sink, counter space, pots/pans, multiple refrigerators and freezers, and a lot of pantry space for everyone. 


We do not provide towels or wash cloths. Laundry facilities are on site in each dorm and are free of charge. However, you must provide your own detergent. There is no cafeteria, so meals are up to the student.

We charge a WEEKLY $25 dorm fee for the provision of general supplies, maintenance and cleaning. 

Arrival for courses if you’re staying in the dorms is the Saturday or Sunday prior to the start of your class. Please be courteous of others if you arrive late.
Class will begin at 0900 at 4007 Burdette Rd., Carrsville, VA 23315
The nearest restaurants/grocery stores are located in the City of Franklin or the Town of Windsor, 15 minutes from the dorms.
Guests are not permitted at the dorms (unless approved by Paul Roushia or Nigel Rhodes) and under NO circumstances are they permitted to stay overnight.

NO DOGS ALLOWED AT THE DORMS.
Personal dogs must be housed at the kennel. You must provide a copy of their current vaccines to include DHLPP, Bordetella, & Rabies. You will also need to sign a liability waiver and complete a boarding application.


If you are bringing a personal dog, please email our Administrative Assistant, Ryan, at rgibbs@ak9i.edu and inform her. You must arrive prior to 7pm as the kennels are closed and locked after that.

AK9I has an arrangement with a clothing and equipment supplier. Please email Chris Casora at gear@ak9i.edu for a complete list of gear and clothing or to place your order. These items are not mandatory.
Housekeeping cleans the common areas twice a week and they clean ALL of the bathrooms every other week. They will not do your dishes, clean your room, remove your trash, or clean the countertops. This is your responsibility, please be courteous to your fellow roommates, and clean up after yourselves. We will evict students immediately if this is problematic. AK9I provides cleaning supplies, paper towels and toilet paper for students. It is located in the marked supply cabinet of each dorm. Please put the cleaning supplies back when you are done using them. These are provided if you’d like to clean your bedroom/bathroom at your convenience/discretion. If you have any maintenance issues during your stay, please email Michelle directly at mhartman@ak9i.edu.
Yes. Mail should be sent to 4007 Burdette Rd., Carrsville, VA 23315 and addressed to you with the word student in parenthesis after your name. Do not have mail sent to the dorms as there is no one there to monitor the deliveries.
Enrollment is a fairly simple process. If you have never applied for your GI Bill® benefits, go to www.va.gov, fill out and electronically submit a VA FORM 22-1990 APPLICATION FOR VA EDUCATION BENEFITS. Print out the confirmation number for your records. Fill out and email us your Student Enrollment Form along with a copy of either your high school diploma, GED or college transcripts (an unofficial copy is sufficient). After you have submitted your VA FORM 22-1990, within 2-4 weeks the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility. Please email a copy to us. If you have utilized your GI Bill® benefits, you need to go to www.va.gov, fill out and electronically submit a VA FORM 22-1995 REQUEST FOR CHANGE OF PROGRAM OR PLACE OF TRAINING. Print out the confirmation number for your records. Fill out and email us your Student Enrollment Form along with a copy of either your high school diploma, GED or college transcripts. After you have submitted your VA FORM 22-1995, within 2-4 weeks the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility. Please email a copy to us. A non-refundable admin fee of $100.00 is due prior to class start date. Once we have received your enrollment package, you will receive an acceptance letter from Ms. Michelle Hartman, Director of Operations and Student Enrollment. Please email your enrollment forms to mhartman@ak9i.edu. Should you have any other questions please contact Paul at 757-788-1524 or Michelle at 757-304-9600.
Training is conducted Monday thru Friday. AK9I does observe all federal holidays. Training hours vary based on the ambient temperature and the particular training evolutions being conducted and taught.
Students may bring firearms; however, all firearms must be declared on a firearms declaration form and ALL firearms must be stored in the trunk of student vehicles. Firearms are strictly prohibited in the dormitories or on the person of the student while on AK9I property. The only exception is for sworn law enforcement personnel attending training at AK9I.

ALL students who successfully graduate from either the 5-, 6-, 8- or 13-week training program get to keep their dogs upon successful graduation AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. All dogs come with a one-year warranty against genetic defects.

 

Students do have the option of bringing and utilizing their own dog provided it passes our vetting process for hunt drive and environmental stability. If a student utilizes their own dog, they will not be issued a dog by AK9I. Students are not provided a reduction in tuition cost if they utilize their own dog.

The majority of this course is hands-on training. Appropriate dress includes closed-toed shoes, pants or cargo pants, shorts and a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt. Revealing clothing is prohibited.

 

Understand that accessories e.g., jewelry including rings and bracelets may distract the K-9. Piercings such as hoops, nose and eyebrow rings are prohibited during training because they are a safety hazard.

AK9I provides all training equipment at no cost. Students are not allowed to use any equipment not provided by or purchased from AK9I without prior authorization.

BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS):

Application of Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” walking in heel position and obstacle agility course. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students are taught to condition the dogs to respond to basic verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (95 HOURS):

Bite work, grip development, decoy mechanics and development, single and multi-person pursuit and apprehension, apprehension from a vehicle, apprehension with gunfire, vehicle extractions, handler protection, prisoner escorts, recalls and outs, tracking and trailing. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students will condition their dogs to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.

BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS)

Application of Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” walking in heel position and obstacle agility course. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students are taught to condition the dogs to respond to basic verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (110 HOURS):

Canine odor recognition protocol (4-hole variable, odor wall), practical application of detector dog handling search pattern and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Using operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will certify with their dog by demonstrating their dog’s ability to detect and respond with a passive response to the target odors. Students will also be able to identify their dog’s behavioral change when the dog is in the scent cone and working to source.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS)

Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Principles of Conditioning, explosives and narcotics safety, storage and transportation. This segment of the course is designed to teach students safety practices in and around the kennels and safe handling and transportation of explosives and narcotics. Students are introduced to Operant Conditioning (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.

BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS)

Application of Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” walking in the heel position and obstacle agility course. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, student are taught to condition the dogs to respond to basic verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (110 HOURS)

canine odor recognition protocol (4-hole variable, odor wall), Practical application of detector dog handling search pattern and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas, parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Using operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will certify with their dog by demonstrating their dog’s ability to detect and respond with a passive response to the target odors. Students will also be able to identify their dog’s behavioral change when the dog is in the scent cone and working to source.

PATROL DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will demonstrate their dog’s ability to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (65 HOURS):

Canine odor recognition protocol (4-hole variable, odor wall), Practical application of detector dog handling search pattern and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas, parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Using operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS):

Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Advanced Principles of Conditioning, explosives and narcotics safety, storage and transportation. This segment of the course is designed to teach students safety practices in and around the kennels and safe handling and transportation of explosives and narcotics. Students are introduced to Advanced methods of Operant (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.

BASIC AND ADVANCED OBEDIENCE (65 HOURS):

Application of Advanced Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” (all commands are given off-leash) and obstacle agility course (on-leash and off-leash), long downs, vertical/horizontal carries, ladder climbs, window entries and tactical movements, off-leash send-outs, wagon wheels and T-Patterns. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, student are taught to condition the dogs to respond to advanced verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (235 HOURS):

Canine odor recognition protocol (4 hole variable, odor wall), Vapor Pressure (the scent cone), factors affecting the scent cone, e.g., wind, humidity ambient temperature, convection and terrain, advanced application of detector dog handling search patterns and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas, theaters, parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Off-leash distance casting and control, shooting a line and orbiting. Using advanced operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments. Students are also taught how to overcome cognitive dissonance utilizing advanced techniques for behavior shaping and modification as well as receiving Instructor Development, Electronic collar and K9 Selection training.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS):

Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will certify with their dog by demonstrating their dog’s ability to detect and respond with a passive response to the target odors. Students will also be able to identify their dog’s behavioral change when the dog is in the scent cone and working to source.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (130 HOURS):

Overview of bite work, grip development, pursuit and apprehension and gunfire stimuli. canine team selection (how to evaluate both the dog and handler), breeding programs, puppy rearing and evaluation, initial bite work and grip development for puppies, advanced animal behavior (physiological and psychological factors),kenneling, kennel operations and kennel management, training operations and situational problem-solving, advanced tracking and trailing with drop articles, multiple turns and cross-tracks. Door breeching with and without flash bangs. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students will condition their dogs to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.

PATROL DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS):

Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will demonstrate their dog’s ability to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (60 HOURS):

The primary purpose of this course of instruction is to prepare canine teams for integration into the tactical operations of law enforcement as a nonlethal option. Bite work, grip development, decoy mechanics and development, single and multi-person pursuit and apprehension, apprehension from a vehicle (bailouts), apprehension with gunfire, vehicle extractions, handler protection, prisoner escorts, recalls and outs, tracking and trailing and building search/working “in the stack.” Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students will condition their dogs to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS)

Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Principles of Conditioning, explosives and narcotics safety, storage and transportation. This segment of the course is designed to teach students safety practices in and around the kennels and safe handling and transportation of explosives and narcotics.Students are introduced to Operant conditioning (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.