Working K9 Handler Academy

K9Sensus Foundation offers a Detection Dog Trainer Academy, individual coaching, small group coaching, and on-demand webinars. The Detection Dog Trainer Academy is a year-long hybrid program that includes interactive online modules, bi-weekly lessons, bi-monthly office hours, individual coaching, video critique, networking, and a curated library of supplemental materials. The program culminates with a two-week immersive in-person training opportunity at the Foundation, with lodging included.

The Coaching Community provides monthly coaching calls, access to a private group for submitting questions and short videos, networking opportunities, occasional guest lectures, access to archived webinars, and discounts on other offerings. Individual and small group coaching are also available.

Pricing Summary

The Detection Dog Training Course costs $5,000, which includes deposit, program materials, and lodging for a two-week stay at the Foundation. The K9Sensus Coaching Community costs $35 per month.

K9Sensus Foundation, formerly Paws of Life (established in 2003), is a non-profit organization dedicated to training the “human end of the leash” for working and detection dogs. Their core mission is to provide high-caliber education for working dog trainers, ensuring they can offer their K9 companions the safest, most compassionate, and skills-appropriate experiences in the field. The organization emphasizes translating research-based training and behavioral science into practical application.

They offer a comprehensive Detection Dog Trainer Academy, individual and small group coaching, and on-demand webinars. The K9Sensus Education and Research Complex (ERC), set on 520 acres in Iowa, provides extensive opportunities for training, including night operations and interaction with various animal species.

Their programs are designed for owner/handler/trainers, including those in law enforcement, military, and sport detection. The goal is to build foundational understanding and advance expertise in training successful detection dogs and effective detection dog teams. They also provide a Coaching Community for detection dog trainers, handlers, or instructors interested in human and animal behavior.

Accomplishments

Robin Greubel holds a Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Community and Regional Planning, and Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University. She completed the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute Master Trainer Program and is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach.

Her instructor credentials include being a FEMA Adjunct Instructor for the Canine Search Specialist Course, a guest lecturer for Iowa State University Animal Science 101, and certifications from AERIE and NASAR for Managing Land Search Operations. She is a certified evaluator/assessor for FEMA, American Rescue Dog Association (ARDA), NASAR, AERIE, and Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States (SARDUS).

Robin has canine handler certifications from FEMA (Live Find, HRD), NASAR (Live Find, HRD), ARDA (HRD), AERIE (HRD), SARDUS (HRD), Network of Canine Detection Services (NOCDS) (HRD Water Search, Land HRD), United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) (Explosives, Narcotics, Firearms), and National Police Canine Association (NPCA) (Explosives, Narcotics). She serves as a Subject Matter Expert on the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science | NIST and the American Academy of Forensic Science – Dogs and Sensors Consensus Body.

How to Get Started!

Clients can enroll in the Detection Dog Trainer Academy or join the Coaching Community by clicking the “Enroll Now!” or “Let’s Train!” buttons provided on the website. For other services like individual or small group coaching, or on-demand webinars, links are available to purchase or learn more.