Get to know us

It all started on page 7 of the “pets for adoption” web site 20 years ago.  High drive German Shepherd / Collie mix Molly presented herself to the Shilling family.  The training and development of Molly from a street dog into a lifesaving search and rescue K9 solidified the dog training bug in us.  Detection Dogs USA is built on knowledge and experience of its head trainer Rick Shilling.  With decades of experience training Search and Rescue, narcotic detection, law enforcement patrol and family protection K-9s, Rick utilizes a holistic style of training that focuses on the dog’s natural instincts and drives for their specific discipline.   Rick maintains multiple certified K-9s in Wilderness, Urban and Disaster Search and Rescue.  He remains an integral member of Disaster and Wilderness Ground Searchers Inc. as a K-9 handler with two certified K-9s (Man trailing and Air Scent (Live Victim / Human Remain Detection).  He is the Chairman of the New York State Federation of Search and Rescue teams Inc. and a member of the New York State Canine Association.   Rick maintains close working and training partnerships with law enforcement agencies in the Northeast by working as a part time Deputy Sheriff in a prominent New York county, provides fully trained K-9’s to agencies, as well as organizes training activities for K9 units in the surrounding communities.  

 

Rick boasts a military background as a retired officer of the US Naval Reserve, a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy and a senior manager of a global commercial diving corporation.

 

Detection Dogs USA LLC is a turn to resource for K-9s, training and seminars to maximize the relationship between handlers and their K-9s