About Us
Founded in 2014
Veteran owned
All breed training
Valor K9 Academy was founded in 2014 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A second location in Spokane was opened in 2015, and a third location in Boise was opened in 2019. Valor K9 Academy was named the Idaho Small Business of the Month in March of 2022.
Here at Valor K9 Academy, we work with dogs of all ages, needs, and breeds. All dogs are welcome. We specialize in puppy training, family dog obedience, and service dogs.
We are a home-based business and are in the process of building a training facility at our Boise location where we will host group classes, workshops, seminars, trainers retreats, and shadow programs in the future.
Our new online training platform Valor K9 Academy Online brings quality dog training to owners everywhere.
Our Method
We are balanced dog trainers who believe in building a strong foundation first. We use reward-based training to teach commands and behaviors. Once dogs understand what is expected of them, we layer in a training collar to proof obedience on leash, off leash, and around distractions with the use of a food reward.
We focus on CMR: Communication, Motivation, and Relationship in our dog training. Our training is firm but fair and the end result is dogs who are happily obedient and have a great relationship with their owners. Our goal is to help dogs become go-anywhere, do-anything dogs who have a great quality of life!
Meet the Team
Amy Pishner
Amy Pishner is the Founder, Owner, and Head Trainer of Valor K9 Academy. She is a United States Air Force and Wisconsin Air National Guard veteran. Amy graduated magna cum laude from Carthage College with degrees in International Political Economy and Spanish. She is a triple certified dog trainer through Starmark Academy, Vohne Liche Kennels, and The Michael Ellis School. Dog training is a passion turned career for Amy. She started working with dogs professionally in 2013 and since then has trained thousands of dogs in various settings.
Amy lives in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with her husband Justin, daughter Emma, and two personal dogs, Havok (10) and Zoey (13). She enjoys working out, rollerblading, and camping.
Justin Pishner
Justin Pishner is the Co-Owner of Valor K9 Academy. He served fifteen years active duty in the Air Force as a SERE Specialist with multiple overseas wartime deployments and now serves in the Idaho National Guard. He helps with human resources, curriculum development, and boarding for Valor K9 Academy.
A Boise native, Justin lives in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with his wife Amy and their daughter, Emma. He enjoys working out, elk hunting, and riding his Harley.
Kelsi Long
Kelsi Long is a Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Chattanooga. She specializes in puppy training and family dog obedience.
Prior to joining our team, Kelsi worked as a kennel attendant, veterinary assistant, and nurse aid. She attended the six-day Valor K9 Academy Shadow Program in 2019 and Trainers Course in 2021.
Kelsi lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and running.
Taya Hekking
Taya Hekking is a Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Boise. She specializes in family dog obedience and service dog training.
Taya attended The Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers and worked for a dog training company in Utah before joining Valor K9 Academy where she studied under Head Trainer Amy Pishner.
Taya has an Associates Degree in Communicative Sciences with an Emphasis in Deaf Education from Utah State University. She is fluent in American Sign Language.
She and her husband live in Nampa, Idaho. Taya loves all things Disney and dogs!
Aaron Presley Shenk
Aaron Shenk is a Dog Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Boise. He specializes in puppy training, family dog obedience, and behavioral rehabilitation.
Aaron formerly worked as a Trainer for T-Mobile where he designed and implemented training programs for new employees. He is a dog enthusiast who has been pursuing an education in dog training for many years. Aaron is First Aid & CPR Certified and formerly studied under a dog trainer in California. Aaron is a kind and caring person with excellent work ethic and attention to detail. He is trained in the VK9 Method of dog training.
Aaron lives in Star, Idaho, with his wife and daughter and enjoys hiking, playing guitar and piano, and graphic design.
Roberto Aristondo
Roberto Aristondo is a Dog Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Chattanooga. He specializes in puppy training, family dog obedience , and behavioral rehabilitation.
“Robert” served five years in the United States Navy and is a combat veteran. After his military service, he joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Orlando, Florida, where he served for fifteen years. He retired as a Supervisor and Assistant Firearms Range Manager. Robert is an experienced firearms instructor and has a knack for teaching people.
Robert and his wife live in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, on three fully fenced acres. Robert enjoys Jiu-Jitsu, walking in nature, and painting.
Sarah Avery
Sarah Avery is a Dog Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Boise. She specializes in puppy training and family dog obedience.
Sarah is a dog groomer by trade. She started grooming in 2018 and opened her own grooming business in 2023 where she now has staff who work for her. Prior to grooming, Sarah worked as a pet sitter and dog walker. She also taught piano lessons for many years. Sarah attended the first annual Valor K9 Academy Trainers Retreat in 2019 and has wanted to be on the team ever since. Sarah is a highly motivated and driven individual who studied Music Performance and Biology at Boise State University.
Sarah lives in Boise, Idaho and enjoys reading fantasy novels, crafting, and rollerblading.
NOW HIRING: SERVICE DOG TRAINER
We are currently looking for an experienced service dog trainer to join our team in Boise. To learn more about the position, please send your resume and cover letter to info@valork9academy.com. Our trainers are independent contractors who set their own hours and we pay the highest commission rate in the industry!
Contact
226 Winding Ridge Drive, Horseshoe Bend, ID 83629
(208) 577-0744
info@valork9academy.com