Paul Shaughnessy
Excel K-9 Services, Inc. was founded in 2001 by Paul Shaughnessy and now consists of a staff of working Law Enforcement K-9 Trainers. Our Training Facility and Kennel is located in Hiram, Ohio. Our Facility includes a fully heated and air conditioned indoor / outdoor kennel, Grooming Room, Classroom and lodging that includes a full kitchen and Wi-Fi. On site we have a 21 Obstacle Agility Course, Vehicles for Detection Work, Tracking and Article Search Areas, and a Shooting Range. We also have a field office located in greater Los Angeles California. Our Staff includes: four trainers, one kennel manager and several kennel and school Assistants. We are very proud of our trainers that have received national accreditation. This approach brings real world experience to every training session.
Paul is now retired from law enforcement after 16 years of service. Paul held the rank of Sergeant and was responsible for his department’s K-9 unit. Paul continues to serve as the unit’s trainer.
He has trained and assisted in the training of hundreds canines that are currently being used in law enforcement around the world. He has received over 3,500 hours of instruction from a variety of nationally and internationally recognized trainers of police service dogs. He also has extensive training in drug interdiction and identification and urban community policing as well as Counter-Terrorism Interdiction and Identification.
Paul received Handler and Trainer Certificates from a Nationally Accredited and Recognized K-9 Academy and has received Master Trainer Accreditation in Utility Dogs, Narcotic Detection and Explosive Detection Dogs with the North American Police Work Dog Association, the largest Police Service Dog Organization in the United States. Paul is also a member of several other state and national associations. Also, as an Evaluator for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission, Paul has tested and certified numerous dog teams throughout the state of Ohio. He continues to update his personal training by attending seminars and workshops throughout the country and working with nationally and internationally recognized dog trainers, veterinarians, animal behaviorist and local, state and federal law enforcement professionals.
Paul has been working with K-9’s since 1993 and was partnered with two Patrol /Narcotics Detection Dogs. He founded Excel K-9 Services, Inc. with a sincere dedication to provide comprehensive K-9 training, and the development of superior K-9 teams. Excel K-9 strives to insure that, upon the completion of basic training, the handler and dog team will have the confidence to be successful in every deployment. We are available to any and all K-9 handlers who need thorough on-going training and departments or organizations that need advanced in-service training seminars on k-9 and other subjects related to law enforcement.
Paul Shaughnessy was a field sergeant and officer in charge of his 150 member department’s K-9 Unit that currently consists of three police service dog teams which serve a diverse urban community. He was responsible for all training and deployment issues. He is a graduate of the Police Executive Administrative Leadership School and a graduate of SWAT Operator’s School and served as the supervisor of the department’s full time SWAT Unit. Paul has also planned and executed a numerous tactical operations with a variety of local, state and federal agencies. Paul also has extensive courtroom testimony experience and has instructed continuing Education Classes for the Ohio Bar Association, Ohio Bailiffs Association, Police / Security Academies and countless Civic Organizations about Police Service Dog related topics. In addition to providing Police Service Dog training, Paul has extensive experience training civilian dogs in Basic and Advanced Obedience, Family Protection, Agility, Tracking, Civilian Search and Rescue and Therapy Dog Training. Excel K-9 Services also provides behavior modification training for dogs that have aggression or other behavior problems. Paul and his staff specialize in in-home training sessions, which is the best way to address behavior problems in companion dogs.
Excel K-9 Services Inc. provides Executive Family Protection K-9 Training for select clientele. There are three separate levels of training available visit our Executive Family Protection Page for more information regarding our services.
Excel K-9 Services also provides Narcotic and Explosive Detection Services to public and private organizations and is available to respond around the world to meet our client’s needs. All of Excel K-9 Services are available to our clients here at our local facilities or on site training and deployment is available anywhere worldwide. We look forward to meeting your needs.
Kyle Dietrich
Kyle is a full time employee of Excel K9 Services Inc. Kyle completed the handler basic Police Service Dog Patrol and Detection Course in 2007 and returned in 2008 and completed the Advanced Detection Course. Kyle worked as a part-time Employee in the roll of an Explosives Dog Handler at events to include NFL Games, NBA Games, MLB Games, Jewish Federation Events, Marathons and other VIP and Dignitary Events. Kyle joined Excel K9 Services Inc. as full time team member in 2010. Kyle completed our Trainers Course for Patrol and Detection Dogs. Kyle assist North American Police Work Dog Association Master Trainer and President of Excel K9 Services Inc. Paul Shaughnessy with all aspects of imprinting, training and the design and deployment of our detection dog teams at special events. Kyle has a team building background due to his love of sports. Kyle was drafted from Keene State College to play professional soccer for the Cleveland Force as a goalie. After six years Kyle retired and then became a College Coach for Duke University later returning to Ohio where he raised his children and continued coaching high school varsity soccer.
Daniel Toporowych
Dan is a part-time employee of Excel K9 Services Inc. as an Explosive Detection Dog Handler. Dan completed his Police Service Dog Patrol and Detection Course in 2010. Dan returned in 2014 and completed an Advanced Detection Handler Course. Dan works as a part-time Employee in the roll of an Explosives Dog Handler at events to include NFL Games, NBA Games, MLB Games, Jewish Federation Events, Marathons and other VIP and Dignitary Events. After High School Dan joined the United States Marine Corps and obtained the rank of Sergeant. Dan worked as a Radio Operator, Motorcycle Messenger and Interpreter for Ukrainian Language. Dan joined the Parma Ohio Police Department in 2001 after graduating from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. Dan works as a Field Training Officer, Criminal Interdiction Officer; Dan continues to work with a wide array of Agencies in as an interpreter.
Jason Warrington
Jason is a part-time employee of Excel K9 Services Inc. as an Explosive Detection Dog Handler. Jason completed his Police Service Dog Patrol and Detection Course in 2014. Jason then completed an advanced Detection Handler Course in 2015. Jason works as a part-time Employee in the roll of an Explosives Dog Handler at events to include NFL Games, NBA Games, MLB Games, Jewish Federation Events, Marathons and other VIP and Dignitary Events. After High School Jason joined the United States Marine Corps and obtained the rank of Sergeant. Jason was assigned to the American Embassies Overseas Dignitary Protection Detail. In 1997 Jason joined the Cleveland Police Department. Since 2002 Jason has been assigned to the Elite full-time SWAT Unit. Jason has served as a Tactical Operator, Sniper and SWAT K9 Handler.
K9 BLEK
K9 Blek is a German Shepherd Dog that has been fully trained in Explosive Detection. K9 Blek is very friendly and works as an Explosive Detection Dog at our events.
K9 Flako
K9 Flako is a German Shepherd Dog that has been fully trained in Explosives Detection. K9 Flako completed and participated in a 10-month study with the Department of Defense on Explosive Odor Recognition. K9 Flako is very friendly and works as a Explosives Detection Service Dog at our events.
K9 Pale
K9 Pale is a German Shepherd Dog that has been full trained in Explosive Detection. K9 Pale is very friendly and works as an Explosive Detection Dog at our events.
K9 Truffie
K9 Truffie is a Springer Spaniel and has been fully trained in Explosives Detection. K9 Truffie is very friendly and works as an Explosives Detection Dog at our events.
K9 Ben
K9 Ben is a Springer Spaniel and has been fully trained in Explosives Detection. K9 Ben very friendly and works as an Explosives Detection Dog at our events.
K9 Bentley
K9 Bentley is a Springer Spaniel and has been fully trained in Explosives Detection. K9 Bentley very friendly and works as an Explosives Detection Dog at our events.
K9 Mick
K9 Mick is a Springer Spaniel and has been fully trained in Explosives Detection. K9 Mick very friendly and works as an Explosives Detection Dog at our events
K9 Sander
K9 Sander is a Springer Spaniel and has been fully trained in Narcotics Detection to include K2 synthetic marijuana, Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy and Firearms. K9 Sander is very friendly and works as an Narcotics Detection Dog at our events.