Honoring Justin Pishner’s Military Retirement and Our Proud Veteran-Owned Legacy
At Valor K9 Academy, being a veteran-owned small business isn’t just part of our brand—it’s part of our identity. This fall, we proudly celebrated the retirement of our co-owner and my husband, Justin Pishner, after 21 years of honorable military service to the United States Air Force and the Idaho National Guard.
Justin served 15 years in the U.S. Air Force and 6 years in the Idaho National Guard, dedicating his life to protecting our country and training others in the most demanding environments. As a SERE instructor (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape), he prepared countless service members for the challenges of combat survival. Throughout his career, Justin served overseas in multiple wartime deployments, including a year-long overseas duty assignment.
Our Story: From the Military to Valor K9 Academy
Justin and I first met while stationed in North Carolina, both serving in the military.
Our shared passion for excellence, discipline, and service became the foundation for our life together. Those same values inspired what would later become Valor K9 Academy.
Founded in 2014, Valor K9 Academy—and its sister company, Valor Protection Dogs—reflect the values we learned in uniform: integrity, respect, and hard work.
Over the years, we’ve worked side by side to build one of the nation’s most respected training programs. Our commitment to excellence stems from the same mindset that guided us in the military—lead with honor, serve with purpose, and always strive to be your best.
A Special Retirement Ceremony
We recently held an intimate retirement ceremony to honor Justin’s incredible career. Surrounded by close friends and family, we celebrated his dedication and the sacrifices he made for our country. One of my proudest moments was having the honor of pinning his retirement lapel—a symbol of his years of service and leadership.
Amy Pishner pins Justin Pishner’s retirement lapel
It was a heartfelt reminder of where we began, the challenges we faced, and the mission we continue through Valor K9 Academy.
Proud to Be Veteran-Owned and Operated
Now, Justin’s retirement marks the end of one chapter and, at the same time, the beginning of another. Even though his time in uniform has concluded, his dedication to service continues through our business. As a veteran-owned small business, we take pride in giving back to our community. We donate training, mentor new trainers, and help dogs and owners thrive through structure, consistency, and leadership.
We are proud Americans, proud veterans, and proud small business owners. As veterans, we love our country and believe in honoring those who serve.
Valor K9 Academy — Veteran-Owned and Operated Since 2014
Building better dogs, handlers, and relationships—one team at a time.
Written by Amy Pishner
About the Author:
Amy Pishner is the Founder of Valor K9 Academy, a veteran-owned dog training company in Boise, Idaho. With over a decade of experience training thousands of dogs, Amy specializes in balanced dog training that builds trust, obedience, and lasting results. She is the author of the Puppy Head Start book, available now on Amazon.