T
im Baird
Director of Bomb Dog Operations, Arete Canine
- 30 years’ experience in working dogs
- 36 years of raising and training dogs
- Patent holder on Vapor Wake K9s
- Trained the first IDD detection dogs for USMC
- Supplied canines to federal agencies and law enforcement around the world.
Exceptionally diverse canine team trainer with a successful 30+year professional track record of providing innovation and reliability in dog and handler training. Experienced provider for federal government contracts in support of Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Amtrak, Federal Protective Service, United States Capitol Police, United States Coast Guard and the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). Also trained teams for the Australian Customs Service, US Territory of Saipan, Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, Transportation Security Administration and a range of state, county and city law enforcement agencies. Certified Tennessee Police Canine Instructor. Trained the first Vapor Wake and USMC Improvised detection dog.
Participated in cutting edge classified and non-classified experimentation with dogs and technology in support of a range of government agencies. Thoroughly familiar with Federal contracting. Detailed understanding of techniques, tactics and procedures (TTPs) used by USMC Infantry during deployment with IED Detector Dogs.
In November 2023, Tim was presented with a “Best in Show” rosette acknowledging him as the first official American Kennel Club Patriotic Puppy Program Mentor. Tim has volunteered his time on countless occasions to help mentor PPP participants in numerous AKC Detection Dog Webinars, present at AKC Detection Dog Conferences and conduct himself as an industry expert while sharing his experience to make those around him better.
Nicholas King
President, Director of Operations & Founder
Von Der King Kennels & Training (VDK) 
Nicholas King is the Director of Operations and founder of Von Der King Kennels and Training – VDK. Nick overseas day-to-day operations to include – Training and Canine Development, Public Relations, OCONUS K9 Procurement, and VDK Detection Program. Nick has been training dogs since 2005, handling a Narcotics Detection K9 and two Explosives Detection K9s. VDK was originally located in Michigan where Nick ran an extremely successful training group consisting of teams from Ann Arbor Police Department, Eastern Michigan University Police, Milan Police Department, City of Flint Police Department and more.
Under Nicks leadership, clientele of VDK has expanded to include TSA, CBP, DoD, ATF, along with numerous law enforcement agencies, and multi-million-dollar private security firms.
Under his guidance and decoy work, multiple dogs within the club are competing at the highest levels; with multiple Regional and Championship events, International Competition, and numerous dogs to compete internationally with the “Team USA” designation. French Ring is notable for its complexity of bite targeting and control during aggression. Nick is an active competitor in French Ring, handling, and titling 5 dogs within the sport – two of which are French Ring 3 competitors.
Nick thrives on the challenges of the canine world; growing VDK into an industry leader of strong social working dogs and cutting-edge canine/handler education. Nick’s greatest strengths include his unwavering forward vision, unequivocal drive and passion, strong attention to detail, compassionate leadership, and the ability to connect and communicate with a wide variety of people.
Nick is a Certified Peace Officer in the State of Georgia.
H
eather Leigh
Vice President, Arete Canine
Heather Leigh is part of the senior leadership at Arete Canine. This long-established canine provider has been active in supporting the needs of law enforcement throughout the country by supplying dogs and providing training services. Arete has also been highly successful in providing canines to the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Defense, Customs and Border Protection, United States Department of Agriculture, Department of State, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Heather is personally involved in the evaluation and selection process as well as the day-to-day training.
Heather came to the detection community initially through working dog sport. She started with a Doberman in IPO and later moved into French Ring. She was a founding member and training director of Central Kentucky Schutzhund and is currently a member of Atlanta Working Dog Club where she assists in training for both IPO (now IGP) and French Ring. She has a Bachelors in Political Science from Florida State University and holds two Masters Degrees (Human Relations and International Relations) from University of Oklahoma.
R
obert Leigh
President, Arete Canine
Robert Leigh is the founder and President of Arete Canine – one of the premier providers of police and military workings dogs. Robert oversees the hands-on evaluation of over 1000 dogs per year. Those selected by Arete Canine go on to serve in a variety of agencies to include TSA, DOD, CBP, USDA, ATF, DOS, and police departments around the country.
Robert’s passion for working dogs began in his youth. He has trained and/or coached dogs/handlers in hunting, obedience, agility, schutzhund/IPO/IGP, French Ring, single and dual-purpose police dogs (both narcotics and explosives), search and rescue/cadaver, and TV/film. Robert is the training director for the Atlanta Working Dog Club and a national level IGP helper. He also breeds Belgian Malinois.
Bart Rogers
Chief Canine Instructor
Auburn University Canine Performance Sciences Department
Bart Rogers is the Chief Canine Instructor of Auburn University’s Canine Performance Sciences breeding program. Bart oversees the development and training of candidate detection dogs from birth to 12 months including young puppy socialization and development, initial odor imprinting and discrimination training, and advanced detection training. Bart also plays a leading role in procuring dogs for breeding, designing and conducting behavioral evaluations, managing the prison dog program, and vending dogs. He has been working with dogs professionally for 15 years and has trained dogs for various roles including chemical and biological detection, wildlife conservation, and service/therapy work.
M
anda Vanhorne
Chief Trainer, K2 Solutions, Inc.
Manda is an Ex Canine-Trainer and Handler with the British Army, who completed three deployments to the Middle East handling Patrol, Detection and Tracker Dogs. She moved to the US in 2008 to work at Lackland Air Force Base as an Instructor on the Specialized Search Dog Course and is currently the Chief Trainer at K2 solutions, responsible for the Canine Training Team and approximately 200 Canines in training.