Trainers

MEET OUR HIGHLY QUALIFIED TRAINERS

TERESA MATHERN - K-9 MASTER INSTRUCTOR

Teresa attended Augusta K-9 Services in 1999 to become a Certified Master Instructor in obedience, agility, police service work, personal protection, narcotics detection, tracking, hearing and emotional support service dogs. She has trained with the Fort Belvoir Military Police K-9 team and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Canine Police. Teresa is a certified narcotics and tracking handler through the West Virginia Police Canine Association. She has been a member of the Virginia Search and Rescue Dog Association since 2001 and she is also a member of the Stafford Ground Search and Rescue group. She is trained in air-scenting for wilderness, water and cadaver search and continues to attend training conferences and seminars concerning explosives detection throughout the east coast. Prior to founding Colonial K-9 in 2000, Teresa worked for 8 years in an accounting position with Ericsson International. She has since worked full time as a dog trainer with emphasis on German Shepherds, of which she now has four. They compete in an array of Protection Sports as members of United Schutzhund Clubs of America, American Working Dog Federation, Protection Sports Association, K-9 Pro Sports and American Protection and Patrol Association.

MICHAEL HARTNETT - K-9 TRAINER

Michael attended Augusta K-9 services in 2000 to receive his Master Trainer Certification. However, has been obedience training since 1967. Michael has trained with Colonial K-9 since its inception, attended police seminars, and tracking seminars. He has handled a bloodhound on search and rescue missions as a field team leader requested by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. In addition, Michael has worked with the Madison County Humane Society to train canines for easier placement; and has 27 years experience in facility and administrative management

MARLEY LOOMIS - COMPETITION RALLY INSTRUCTOR

Marley has had English Springer Spaniels since childhood and began to compete in obedience in the late 1980's. She started competing in Rally shortly after AKC Rally became available. Her love developed, because she found that Rally stations provided the maneuvers she needed for obedience as well, yet a bit more relaxed. It was a great confidence building experience for all involved. Currently she has two springers and a golden retriever, and AKC titles include CD, CDX, RAE4, and CH. She continues her education attending a range of seminars for training, problem solving and conditioning.

WILLIAM PARKER

William Parker has over 40 years of proven success in canine program development, administration, planning, training and project management. He has established exceptional explosive detection programs for Metropolitan Washington Airports, Amtrak, MGM Resorts and Casinos as well as abroad for military canine teams. He began in the military becoming Kennel Master, and his love for explosives detection kept him on the path after. He is also an excellent decoy (aka chew toy) for our protection and sport dogs. Parker is a true expert in canine training!

INSTRUCTOR: MARIA SCHULTZ

Maria is an outdoor enthusiast, author, and dog trainer. The first day Maria ever got on a stand-up paddleboard Riley, her Australian Shepherd, was with her learning the sport together. That summer they attracted lots of attention and curiosity from people who wanted to learn to paddle with their own dogs. There were few resources available on training this skill, so Maria took matters into her own hands and combined her passions for graphic design, dog training, and paddling to create her first book, How to SUP With Your PUP. Since then, Maria has also published Paddle Tails, Reflections on People and Dogs Who Find Balance on the Water, and My Dog and Me, a Bucket List Journal for Dogs and Their People. Maria also teaches SUP PUP classes and basic manners classes, as well as holding clinics on canine fitness and outdoor adventures with dogs. When she’s not out paddling, Maria also enjoys mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing, and finding new ways to wear herself – and her dogs – out.

Maria's credentials include a Master's degree in education and a BFA in graphic design and illustration. She's also a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT), an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog Evaluator, an AKC Level 1 Fit Dog Instructor and an ACA-certified stand-up paddleboard instructor.

ARIEL PELDUNAS

Ariel worked as a trainer, handler and subject matter expert for the Department of Defense (DoD), law enforcement, and civilian organizations from 2005-present. She conducted human remains detection for the DoD in the Middle East from 2008-2009. She has competed in the Protection Sports Association (PSA) becoming the first female handler to earn a PSA 3. Ariel has earned numerous High Obedience, High in Trial, High Protection, and Highest Overall Score awards in PSA. Ariel raised and trained hundreds of puppies and dogs to work in various venues. She has developed a unique detection training system currently used by numerous trainers in the US and abroad. Ariel studied biology and neuroscience at the University of Mary Washington.