EXPERIENCE & BACKGROUND
“A dog is not "almost human", and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such.”
― John Holmes
Robert Simon, the head trainer and behaviorist, acquired his first Doberman Pinscher in 1976. The breed has been a loyal companion throughout his 40-year career as a chef and continues to be so today. In early 2008, seeking a new direction, Robert immersed himself in the Search & Recovery K-9 field. Despite being told it would typically take two years to certify a dog for Human Remains Detection (HRD), Robert successfully certified his first Doberman, Ares, in both land and water HRD in less than nine months.
He currently runs two nationally certified human remains detection canines, trained by utilizing the U.S. customs method for scent association.. He has worked with numerous law enforcement agencies at local, state, and federal levels. He is an active member of the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR) and Canine Search and Recovery (CSAR). Robert has been an integral part in setting the standards for national search and rescue certifications through his years with The National Search Dog Alliance (NSDA) in which he served as Products Chair, Public Relations Chair, Board of Directors, Vice President, and President.
Robert has engaged in continuing education courses at Western Carolina University, focusing on canine behavior, forensic anthropology, lost person behavior, and cadaver search training for both land and water. He is certified by the University of Michigan in bloodborne pathogens, HAZMAT, and crime scene preservation, and has additional certifications from the Bay County Florida Sheriff's Department. His achievements also include certifications from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, underscoring his commitment to crisis response and ongoing professional development.
Robert attributes his success in SAR to his mentor, Lisa Higgins of Louisiana Search & Rescue (LaSAR) and the guidance she has provided. He has participated in searches alongside LaSar, South Carolina Foothills Search and Rescue (SCFSAR), Bay County Sheriff's Department, Washington County Sheriff's Department, Adams County (Natchez, Mississippi), Geneva Alabama, Walton County, Dekalb & Fulton County Georgia, the Alabama Bureau of Investigators, and the FBI.
In addition, Robert has been an American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator since 2014 as well as an AKC Temperament Test (ATT) evaluator—since the program’s introduction in 2019. In December 2023, the AKC introduced their Fetch Program and in January 2024, Robert was accepted as a judge.
Erin Boone has been apprenticing under Robert since 2013. She began working with dogs in 2000 by volunteering at the Humane Society at the age of 10. She successfully operated an independent pet sitting business from 2004 until 2013 and worked as a kennel technician from 2011 to 2013 before the creation of Dogmata in 2014. Erin began professionally grooming in 2012 and was a registered member of the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) from 2014 to 2017. Erin has been an AKC CGC Evaluator since 2017. In February 2022, she also become actively involved at Critter Care, specializing in the care and management of canine patients with insecurity, anxiety, dominance, and fear, while serving as a Veterinary Technician.
