Our Trainers
Devon Patterson
Founder & Lead Trainer
Devon is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, former Military Working Dog Handler, and the founder of Patterson K9 Academy. During his military service, Devon specialized in handling patrol and explosive-detection dogs, even supporting the United States Secret Service in protecting the President and visiting dignitaries. In 2019, he transitioned his elite military expertise into the civilian world to launch Patterson K9 Academy. Devon rejects the one-size-fits-all training methods, choosing instead to focus on individual dog genetics, temperament, and owner education. By empowering the person holding the leash, Devon has successfully helped hundreds of families build safer, more confident, and deeply connected relationships with their canine companions.
Why Choose Devon
- U.S. Air Force Veteran: Served with distinction as a Military Working Dog Handler
-Secret Service Support: Selected for temporary duty assignments protecting the U.S. President
-Decorated Service: Awarded Airman of the Year and the Air Force Achievement Medal
-Experience: Successfully trained 700 dogs since the founding of the academy
-Real World Adaptability: Translates high discipline military principles into practical methods for civilian homes.
Philosophy & Approach
-Educating the Handler: Focuses heavily on empowering the person holding the leash with practical knowledge
-Communication over Perfection: Prioritizes deep mutual understanding and relationship building over rigid obedience
-Lifelong Tool Provision: Equips the owner with foundational skills and confidence needed long after formal training ends
Sally Wagner
Professional Dog Trainer
Sally Wagner joined Patterson K9 Academy in 2021 and has transformed the lives of nearly 400 dogs throughout her career. As a dedicated wife and mother, Sally knows that dog training must be realistic and adaptable to the fast-paced dynamics of everyday family life. She possesses extensive experience working with a wide variety of breeds and temperaments, specializing in complex behavioral cases involving reactivity and aggression. Through her patient, confident guidance, Sally helps families rebuild fractured relationships and restore safety to their households. By merging her profound understanding of early canine development with a passion for human education, she enures every client feels supported, capable, and ready to lead.
Why Choose Sally
-Real World Focus: As a wife and mother, she designs training that fits into busy schedules.
-Behavioral Specialist: She possesses extensive experience handling severe canine reactivity and aggression
-Experience: She has successfully trained over 400 dogs during her professional career
-Business: She owns her own breeding program specializing in Bernese Mountain Dogs, giving her additional experience in temperament, early development, and raising dogs from a puppy into adulthood.
Philosophy & Approach
-Empowering Owners: Focuses on equipping the handler with lasting confidence rather than just fixing the dog
-Genetic Informed Training: Evaluates each dogs unique lineage and natural temperament to build custom solutions.
-Restoring Household Peace: Prioritized transforming chaotic environments into safe, calm, and predictable homes.
Ashley Smith
Professional Dog Trainer
Ashley Smith joined Patterson K9 Academy to turn a lifelong passion for the human-canine bond into a career dedicated to helping families. Her journey began in 2015 when her youngest son was diagnosed with epilepsy, and her family’s lab mix, KoKo, became an irreplaceable source of intuitive comfort and deep healing during his recovery. Inspired by the profound impact dogs have on human lives, Ashley later welcomed her Goldendoodle, Lake, and committed to becoming a professional, certified obedience trainer. Today, Ashley combines her specialized formal education with her real-world perspective as a wife and mother to help families unlock the full potential of their pets.
Why choose Ashley
-Deep Personal Empathy: Personally understands the profound, life-changing power of emotional support animals
-Family Focused Methods: Designs practical training routines that easily integrate into busy household dynamics
-Rigorous Professional Education: Enrolled in comprehensive certification courses with upcoming hands-on externship experience
-Passion Driven Guidance: Motivated by an authentic desire to help families live happier lives with their pets
Philosophy & Approach
-Relationship Over Obedience: Prioritizes building mutual trust and emotional comfort between dogs and handlers
-Real World Application: Focuses on actionable tips and tricks you can easily use in everyday life
-Honoring Unique Bonds: Treats every dog as an essential, valuable member of the family