Todos
Decoy
Decoy Trainer & Real Life Scenarios
Todos is a world-renowned decoy specializing in personal protection dog training. Known for creating the most realistic scenarios to help dogs experience real-life situations, he has gained international recognition for his expertise. Todos has conducted seminars across Europe, including in Slovakia, Greece, and England, as well as in the United States
Saul Garcia
French Ring
President of Canadian Ring Sport Association
& Founder of K9 Educate
Saul Garcia is the President of the Canadian Ring Sport Association, a Certified Level 3 French Ring Decoy, and an accomplished Police K9 and Personal Protection Dog Instructor. With more than 30 French Ring competitions under his belt — including making history as the first Canadian decoy invited to St. Nabord, France — his breeding and training programs have produced dogs serving with law enforcement, SWAT teams, and protection homes across North America.
Julie Valero
French Ring
Canadian Champion
& N'zo's Handler
Canadian French Ring Champion with 17+ years of experience, Julie has earned multiple national titles and competed internationally in the U.S., Mexico, and France. She continues to shape the Ringsport community through competition, training, and mentorship, with her dogs serving in protection and police work across North America.
Benoît Maye
French Ring
Founder & President of CSIK9 & CDRQ
With over 35 years of experience in canine training, including 16 years in Canada, Benoît Maye is a renowned expert in French Ring and professional training for working dogs. His expertise has developed across Switzerland, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United States, where he has worked with top-level competitors, security professionals, and K9 units.
Robin Winter
Schutzhund
Owner/Operator Narnia Kennels
Training Director for T.O.P. Working Dog Club
With nearly 40 years of hands-on experience, Robin Winters is a respected working-dog specialist known for her deep knowledge of canine genetics, behaviour, and performance. A lifelong German Shepherd breeder and trainer, Robin's dogs have excelled in Schutzhund, obedience, protection, and law enforcement across North America. Her approach blends scientific rigor with generations of instinct — and her commitment to sound, stable, working dogs is second to none.
Michal Aloni
Special Guest
Mezzo-soprano
An accomplished mezzo-soprano and stage artist, Michal Aloni will join UNITED K9 on Sunday, September 14, to perform the Canadian and American national anthems during our special ceremony. Praised for her warm, expressive tone, Michal is a member of the Canadian Opera Company Chorus and has performed internationally in both classic and contemporary operatic roles.
Rachelle Turgeon
Guest Speaker
Breeder – Von Raliam Kennels
Rachelle Turgeon is the founder of Élevage Von Raliam, a highly respected kennel specializing in German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois bred for performance, stability, and versatility. With over 25 years of experience in the canine world, she is also the founder of Club de Ring Français Samara, established in 2010 to promote and grow the sport of French Ring in Canada. Her commitment to responsible breeding, high-level training, and the well-being of working dogs has made her a key figure in the Canadian canine sports community.
Hugo Girard
Special Guest
Renowned strongman & Cane Corso enthusiast
Recognized as one of the world's strongest men, Hugo Girard is a legendary Canadian strongman, fitness expert, and TV personality. With an impressive career that includes multiple Canada's Strongest Man titles and international competition victories, Hugo has built a reputation for strength, discipline, and determination.
Marie-Pier Grenon
Guest Speaker
Founder – Institut Thérapeutique Canin
Marie-Pier is a canine wellness specialist with over a decade of experience supporting dogs through massage, hydrotherapy, and rehabilitation. She works with sport, senior, and post-surgery dogs to improve their mobility, reduce anxiety, and enhance their quality of life. She also offers safe water desensitization, Cani-paddle sessions, and at-home boarding for anxious or disabled dogs. Passionate and empathetic, she is dedicated to promoting the longevity and well-being of every dog in her care.
Julie Laflèche
Canine Athlete
Canine Athlete & Disc Dog Enthusiast
Julie Laflèche is a passionate canine sports enthusiast with over 15 years of experience. She shares her life with four Malinois, training them in various disciplines including disc, ring, dock diving, flyball, and more. With her dog Dior, she won the gold medal at the H.A.R.D. Dock Diving Award in the United States. Julie is a member of the Canadian Disc Dog Association and will be competing in the disc competition at TODOS K9 2025.
Randy Turner
Special Guest
Special Forces Operator & MMA Champion
Randy Turner is a former Canadian Special Forces Assaulter (JTF2) and professional MMA Champion with over two decades of military service and a decade in the cage. Founder of Direct Action, he delivers elite-level combatives and firearms training to military, law enforcement, and civilians. His no-nonsense approach blends Special Forces precision with real-world fighting skill.
Charles Strange
Guest of honour
Gold Star Father • Founder, Michael Strange Foundation
Charles Strange is a Gold Star father and founder of the Michael Strange Foundation, supporting families of fallen military heroes. His son, Michael, a Navy cryptologist with SEAL Team 6, was killed in the 2011 Extortion 17 tragedy. Charles is the author of Relentless and the subject of an upcoming documentary on Apple TV and Prime. He continues to fight for truth, accountability, and remembrance.
Dr. Jymer Jaramillo
Guest Speaker
Veterinarian – General and Orthopedic Surgery
Dr. Jymer Jaramillo, DVM, M.Sc.A., is a skilled veterinarian with a deep commitment to animal health and surgical excellence. Originally trained in Ecuador, where he specialized in microbiology and parasitology, he later continued his veterinary journey in Quebec, earning full Canadian licensure. His passion for innovation led him to pursue a master's degree in biomedical engineering, which now informs his advanced work in general and orthopedic surgery.
Doug Copp
Special Guest
International Disaster Responder & Rescue Operations Specialist
Doug Copp is the Rescue Chief and founder of American Rescue Team International (ARTI). With over three decades of frontline experience, he has operated in more than 60 countries and entered the aftermath of over 875 collapsed structures — including at Ground Zero on 9/11, where he reached the B2 sub-basement level. Known for his field-based approach to disaster response, Copp brings a perspective shaped entirely by real-world operations in some of the world's most dangerous environments.
Paul Batah
Voice of the show
Fireside Chat and Podcast Host
Paul Batah is an experienced actor, speaker, and on-air personality known for his warm presence, engaging voice, and natural gift for conversation. As the face of the UNITED K9 Fireside Chats and official podcast, Paul brings curiosity, clarity, and connection to every guest he welcomes — from handlers and trainers to rescue teams and canine experts.
Sophie Longpré
Animal Actor Coordinator & Trainer
Film & TV Animal Wrangler
Sophie Longpré excels as an Animal Actor Coordinator and Trainer in film and television productions. Her expertise lies in training non-exotic animals—such as dogs, cats, horses, pigs, and chickens—to perform exactly what the director envisions on camera. Through careful daily training, she cultivates trust, ensures obedience without visual cues, and helps animals remain calm in unfamiliar settings alongside strangers.
Alex Danes
Drone Pilot
Founder of Refract Media
Alex Danes is the founder of Refract Media, a Canadian drone services company providing high-resolution aerial photography, video, and infrared thermal imaging. Certified for advanced operations by Transport Canada and trained in thermography by the ITC, Alex has worked with commercial, residential, public, and industrial clients — but his expertise is especially valuable in search and rescue. Using advanced drones to detect thermal signatures, map terrain, and access hard-to-reach locations, he supports teams in locating missing persons and improving safety in critical operations.
Gérald Marcil
Search & Rescue
Founder of SARCAN Québec
Gérald Marcil, a former paramedic with over 25 years of experience, is the founder of SARCAN Québec, an organization dedicated to training specialized search and rescue dogs. His extensive expertise includes training dogs to locate missing persons—both alive and deceased—as well as conducting object searches and drug detection.
Jennifer Burgoyne
Guest Speaker
K9 Emergency Response Specialist & Trainer
Jennifer Burgoyne is a retired RCMP officer with over 20 years of experience in canine training, health, and emergency response.
She is the founder of Elite Dog Centre and Courage K9 First Aid, and serves as Lead Trainer with Canine Health Canada.
Specializing in K9 CPR and first aid, Jennifer is a trusted educator for handlers and first responders across North America.
Alain Goyette
Search & Rescue
Founder of Sauvetage A. G.
Alain Goyette is the President and Founder of Sauvetage A.G., an organization he established in 1997 alongside other snowmobile and ATV enthusiasts. The idea stemmed from a simple yet troubling reality — no local emergency service was equipped to provide this type of specialized support. Over the years, thanks to both direct and indirect community support, Sauvetage A.G. became incorporated, registered as a charitable organization, expanded its fleet, deepened its expertise, and formed strong partnerships with other organizations and para-governmental entities.
The John Douangdara & Bart the Warrior Dog Award
Honoring Excellence
Official Partners
Sponsors & Partners
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