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. It will host group classes, workshops, seminars, trainers retreats, and shadow programs in the future.
We recently launched our online training platform. Valor K9 Academy Online brings quality dog training to owners everywhere.
Meet the Team
Amy Pishner
Amy Pishner is the Founder, Owner, and Head Trainer of Valor K9 Academy. She is an Air Force veteran and has two bachelor degrees. Dog training is a passion turned career for Amy. She is a triple certified dog trainer through Starmark Academy, Vohne Liche Kennels, and The Michael Ellis School. Amy started working with dogs professionally in 2013, and since then she has trained thousands of dogs in various settings.
Amy lives in Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, with her family and two personal dogs. She enjoys working out, rollerblading, and camping in the fall.
Justin Pishner
Justin Pishner is the Owner, Manager, and Trainer 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 is in charge of human resources, curriculum development, boarding, and training for Valor K9 Academy.
Justin is a Boise native who lives in Horseshoe Bend, 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 joined the team in June 2021 and 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 joined the team in September 2021 and specializes in puppy training, family dog obedience, and service dogs.
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!
Abby and Wiley Rowland
Abby and Wiley Rowland are Stay & Play Hosts for Valor K9 Academy – Boise. They joined our team in October 2021 and offer boarding out of their home to our clients.
Originally from Alabama, Abby has a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Biotechnology from the University of Kentucky and went to the University of South Alabama for medical school. She currently works as a Family Physician for Saint Alphonsus in Nampa. Wiley does IT Consulting.
Abby and Wiley live in Meridian, Idaho. They enjoy binging shows on Netflix, hiking, and kayaking.
Lindsay Pelazini
Lindsay Pelazini is a Trainer for Valor K9 Academy – Boise. She joined our team in June 2022 and specializes in puppy training.
Lindsay is a former VK9 client. She previously worked as a manager at a pet resort and currently volunteers at the Idaho Humane Society. Previously, Lindsay worked as a Special Education School Teacher.
She and her family live in Meridian, Idaho.
ALWAYS HIRING
We are always looking for the right people to join our dog training team. If you are interested in becoming a dog trainer, please send your cover letter and resume to info@valork9academy.com. No experience necessary. Preference is given to veterans of the armed forces.
Contact
226 Winding Ridge Drive, Horseshoe Bend, ID 83629
(208) 577-0744
info@valork9academy.com