CO-FOUNDER / OWNER / TRAINING DIRECTOR

Steve “Zane” Stoops spent the last 19 years as the Senior Combat Assault Dog Trainer (CAD) for the United States Joint Special Operations Command-JSOC, assigned to the 1st SFOD-D, located at Ft. Liberty, NC (retired January 2024.) He and a very small and exclusive group of Special Operators are innovators and developed many K9 training philosophies utilized today by the most elite SOF tactical working dog programs throughout the world. Steve actively handled these dogs in numerous combat situations facing fire fights, suicide bombers, and IEDs.

A veteran of 14 combat deployments, Steve was also requested by and assisted Naval Special Warfare units in Iraq. During this time, Steve also played a crucial role in the development of the following CAD programs worldwide:

~ Conducted the initial training course for Army Ranger CAD program.

~ Selected and trained the CADs and Handlers for the elite British Special Forces, traveling to England to instruct at the inaugural K9 course for both British Army and Naval Special Operators and their dogs.

~ Selected and trained the dogs for the Danish Jaeger Corps, traveling to Scandinavia to conduct training events.

~ Stood up a K9 program in a combat zone by importing dogs into the zone for the Kurdish Counter Terror Group (CTG).

~ Assisted the German KSK with their CAD program and was co-located with them on a combat deployments.

~ Assisted the Norwegian SOF Dog program in Afghanistan.

~ Stood up the CAD program for the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, selecting and training the K9/Handler teams on a multi-week training course.

Prior to working for Special Operations, Steve stood up and supervised a protection dog program in Afghanistan for Afghan President Hammed Karzai (2002.) Thereafter, Steve stood up a detection dog program in Tirana, Albania, for the Albanian National Police (2003.)

Steve’s K9 career started while serving 15 of his 20 years as a Police K9 Officer in Anderson, Indiana, after serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Security Specialist at U.S. Embassies throughout Europe and South America. While a K9 Officer, Steve was a SWAT Team member, SWAT Dog handler, and a veteran of hundreds of K9 deployments. He experienced numerous violent encounters with suspects including Officer involved shootings and edged weapon attacks and was responsible for numerous narcotics seizures with his K9s. Steve received four Combat Crosses for valor and was awarded an Outstanding Citizenship Award by President Clinton for his work in K9 developing a nationwide anti-drug program for elementary students, “The Puppy Patrol.”

Steve has taught dozens of K9 seminars throughout the country and is a qualified Subject Matter Expert in the United States Federal Court System regarding Police K9s .

CO-FOUNDER / DETECTION TRAINER

Sonja’s experiences and professional history have resulted in a unique blend of elite level K9 training, extensive K9 field work, investigative field experience, legal and courtroom experience, and a treasure trove of component and precision-based K9 training techniques to prepare teams to meet the most challenging operational aspects and applications of Detection K9 work.

Sonja retired from the FBI in 2014 after serving 23 years as a Special Agent. While serving, she was assigned as Case Agent for hundreds of violent crimes investigations, handling and supporting all investigative aspects from the initial complaint to final conviction and sentencing.

In 1995, Sonja joined her first volunteer K9 SAR team in Pennsylvania before moving to Los Angeles in 1996 where she joined CARDA, certifying in K9 Live, Cadaver, and Water Search, becoming an evaluator, and ultimately a Veteran Handler. Sonja also served as the K9 Specialist member of the Los Angeles FBI Evidence Response Team (ERT) for ten years during which she received specialized training and field experience in the collection of forensic evidence to include clandestine grave/human remains recovery and post-blast crime scene processing.

Sonja has completed thousands of hours of K9 training under nationally and internationally recognized Law Enforcement K9 trainers including completing two LE K9 basic courses and eight years of regular maintenance training (live/detection) under the instruction and mentorship of a CA POST K9 Instructor/Judge. She has completed hundreds of field missions with her K9s for the FBI and local law enforcement both professionally and as a volunteer. Her K9 deployments with the FBI ERT included supporting kidnap/homicide investigations throughout the Western United States, in high threat locations within Mexico, in the Middle East, and several disaster scene deployments to include the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks. Sonja also deployed four times to Europe with her K9 and successfully assisted in locating the remains of WWII MIA soldiers.

Sonja earned her Detector Dog Trainer's Certification from Vohne Liche Kennels in 2003, later developed a 40-hour P.O.S.T. Cadaver Dog course for LE K9 Handlers, and in 2022 completed an 8-week course to become a Utah POST Detector K9 Instructor and Judge for Narcotics, Explosives, and Cadaver K9s. She has provided hands-on SAR and Detection K9 training to 100’s of handlers to include SAR volunteers, Law Enforcement Handlers, Military K9 Handlers, and sport enthusiasts across the K9 detection disciplines of SAR/Human Remains Detection, Narcotics Detection, Explosives Detection, Gun Detection, and sport Nosework/Scentwork. Sonja has further honed and developed her precision training skills via successful participation in the challenging protection dog sports of Schutzhund/IPO, French Ring, and Mondio Ring.

Sonja currently deploys as a volunteer with her 5th HRD K9. She is a court expert with respect to Cadaver K9s in the state of Utah, a Senior UKC Nosework Judge, and a voting member on the ASB Dogs and Sensors Consensus Body.

K9 INSTRUCTOR

CONSULTANT / TACTICAL K9 INSTRUCTOR

Owner of Tier One Eagle Tactics Inc.

Instructor and veteran with 28 years in the US Army - 23 of those years in Special Operations,

Shooting instructor for the Operator Training Course (OTC).

Completed multiple combat tours and missions throughout the world involving direct action, special reconnaissance, advance force operations, foreign internal defense, and dignitary protection.

Held leadership positions as an Assault Team Leader, Sniper/Recon Team Leader, and Canine Team Leader in charge of 6 Canine Teams during numerous combat rotations.

Recipient of seven Bronze Stars, two of which are “V” device for Valor and two Purple Hearts.

CONSULTANT / TACTICAL K9 INSTRUCTOR

Retired US Army Special Mission Unit Operator, K9 Handler.

Served more than 20 years in Army Special Operations including 12 years as a Green Beret working as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant and as an Operator from the US Army Special Mission Unit.

Served as an Assaulter, Master Breacher, Sniper, Operations Sergeant Major

Completed 10 combat deployments as part of the Global War on Terrorism in both overt and covert roles.

Since retiring, has worked in the civilian sector as special operations K9 project manager, tactics and shooting instructor, assault climbing instructor, and as a contract trainer for BORTAC team, Naval Special Warfare Training Group 2, 75th Ranger Regiment, and multiple law enforcement agencies.

CONSULTANT / K9 INSTRUCTOR

Ross spent over 20 years with the Calgary Police Canine Unit as a handler, assistant trainer, head trainer and after being promoted, the unit Supervisor. As head instructor Ross was a certified WPO/PSP/DPO instructor and Judge.

During his career, Ross instructed numerous police and military agencies throughout Canada, the U.S. Mexico, Brazil, and the British military.

After retiring from the police service, Ross continued working in the canine world providing narcotic, explosive and pipeline leak detection services through his own company. He has also worked with the National Hockey League providing detection services to ensure the safety of visiting teams to the Calgary area.