OUR K9 HANDLERS
Monique Smith
ASCT Instructor, Certified Master K9 Trainer, Certified Explosives and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler, Certified Patrol Tracker
Monique also attended Washington State University studying Animal Sciences. Monique completed Dog Obedience and Training from Penn Foster and furthered her education by becoming a Certified Master K9 Trainer from Canada West Canine Center.
After attending LHU, Monique completed her Bachelors in Canine Behavior Science, Summa Cum Laude and completed her Masters in Science in Canine Behavior Science. She is now about 75% of the way through her Doctorate program and hoping to finish in early 2026.
Monique has also trained with world renowned trainers and experts, which has expanded on her already existing education in dog psychology and behaviors. Monique has a love for German Shepherds, she currently has many german shepherds ranging from newborn to 13 years. Monique and her husband Dave have had German Shepherds their entire relationship together, over 28 years.
All of Monique's German Shepherds have one or more specialties in Tracking, Scent Detection (Narcotics, Explosives and HRD), Obedience, Agility, Confirmation or they are retired.
Monique creates and develops training plans for individual dogs. She makes sure that all dogs are succeeding in their training plans. Monique enjoys working on business development, creative education, business growth, website, marketing and social media.
Monique works in the field as a Certified Explosive and Narcotics K9 Handler and continues to pursue other business opportunities and community development and education pertaining to Narcotics, Explosives, and Human Remains Detection needs. As a Master Instructor for American Society of Canine Trainers, she certifies and trains K9 Handlers through in class settings and practical applications.
Her big passion is in the development and training of K9 Handlers as dynamic working teams. Teaching and instructing is a passion she has and highly enjoys.
Dave Smith
Certified Explosives K9 Handler
Dave has completed his Basic Handler course with ASCT and excelled in both the written and practical exams.
Dave has a love for German Shepherds and his main Explosive Detection dog is 6 yr old Whiskey.
Makyla Carney
ASCT Trainer, Certified Explosives K9 Handler and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler, Certified Patrol Tracker
Makyla has recently enrolled in school to receive and complete her Bachelors in Animal Science. She will have a specialty in Equine Studies and Animal Care and Training.
Makyla has attended and passed her ASCT Basic Handler Course with excellent scores in her written and practical exams. She is one of the ASCT Trainers in the Pacific Northwest.
Makyla is the Head Trainer for Board and Trains and the Working Dog Program. She oversees all of the detection work and Tracking. She prepares all of the dogs for their testing and certifications, she has certified with many of the dogs she has trained. She maintains all of the training records and implements all of the dog's training plans.
Makyla also begins all of the Behavior Modification Board and Trains and helps create their overall training plans, their progress reports and their 90 day go home plans.
Makyla is an invaluable asset to the company, the dogs and the dogs owners.
Latanya Santiago
Certified Explosives K9 Handler and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler
Latanya has trained and certified with several dogs. She continues to learn and practice with each and every dog.
She is a vital part of our puppy program and helps with our training and imprinting of the new puppies.
Her positive attitude is contagious and infectious…She bring happiness and fun to all of the people around her and especially the dogs she handles and works with.
Latanya continues to practice and learn with each dog and strives to excel at her handling and training.
Linda O'Brien
Certified Explosives K9 Handler
Alley Himmel
Certified Explosives K9 Handler and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler
Gina Knight
Certified Explosives K9 Handler and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler
She continues to learn and practice with each dog and the love she has working and training with her Narcotics dog Uzi is contagious.
She was completely dedicated for months working daily with her dog to excel and watching them as a team has been fantastic to watch.
Matt Loos
Certified Explosives K9 Handler and Certified Narcotics K9 Handler
WE ARE EXPERIENCED
At Smith Pak, we pride ourselves on quality personnel. We employ only certified professionals with the knowledge and capability to instruct according to our high training standards. Our trainers have extensive K9 training and handling experience. Smith Pak trainers specialize in the skill of pairing top-quality working dogs with student K9 handlers to ensure a strong and proficient team.
Our Certified K9 Instructors and Trainers offer over 30 years of experience that includes Veterinary Medicine, Animal Nutrition, Physiology, and Psychology, and Kennel Mastery. All of our Instructors, Trainers and Handlers are Certified K9 Handling teams through ASCT.
We follow very strict certifying regulations and standards and all of the teams are required to meet and/or exceed those standards on a regular basis.
We are offering K9 Handling Courses if you have ever wanted to learn to be and Certify as a K9 Handler. We offer evaluations on your own existing dog or the ability to bond, train and use our dogs here at the kennel.
Our experience for Narcotics, Explosives and Firearms Detection includes:
- Spokane Public Facilities District Buildings for their events at the Spokane Arena, The Podium, The Convention Center, First Interstate Center, and One Spokane State
- Spokane County Jail and Geiger Correction Center
- Northern Quest Casino
- Port of Seattle Cruise Lines for Princess, Holland, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Carnival
- Music Festival such as Coachella, Stagecoach, Under the Big Sky, Farewell, Zootown, Days N Vegas and many small day festivals
- Charitable and Religious Organizations such as Samaritan's Purse and Temple Beth Shalom
- Airport and Airplane Hangars - Private Jets, Dignitary Planes, Corporate Jets, and Private Cargo
- Schools - Public and Private
- Hotels and Motels
- Children's Camps
- Rehabilitation Facilites
- Movie Sets
- Railroad Car and Environs Explosive Searches
- Private Home and Business Searches
WE USE PROVEN TECHNIQUES
We are at the forefront of dog training methodology using innovative techniques to develop stable, confident, productive working dogs for narcotics, explosive, cadaver and bed bug detection, security, and protection. We are constantly updating training techniques, utilizing the finest European and US consultants. Our experienced professionals utilize proven training techniques to provide top dogs for tough jobs.
OUR FACILITY
