Amber Kirby
Owner & Dog Trainer
Having grown up with dogs in her life, it only made sense for Amber to become a dog trainer. Thanks to advice from her Parents and Peers, She officially began her dog training career in 2005. Amber attended the Military Working Dog Handler course at Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, TX.
Her experiences include training dogs for obedience, protection, and explosive/narcotic detection for the United States Army, as well as working those same dogs for Law Enforcement Operations. Continuing her education; she has taken additional dog training courses, seminars, animal behavior courses with organizations such as Duke University, Mark McCabe TBTE “Training Between the Ears”, Level 1 & Level 2, Dr. Ian Dunbar, and is an AKC (American Kennel Club) Evaluator. Through out her career, she has consulted and assisted with training for agencies such as the Honolulu Police and Sheriff departments, and the Department of Defense to include the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
Featured in K9 Heroes: Together We Protect, Defend, and Conquer as One Published Oct 27, 2009 Written by Nicole Arbelo.
In 2011, Amber took 2nd Place in Narcotic Detection at the International Korean Customs Bi-Annual Detection competition.
In 2013, Amber was medically retired from the Army and began training under the business name SDS K9. Then in 2015, she rebranded and opened Patriot K-Nine LLC.
In early 2015, she became a Certified PTSD Service Dog Trainer/Evaluator while working as a Kennel Master for a PTSD Service Dog Non-Profit, as well as an American Kennel Club CGC Certified Evaluator (#91525). Later in the year after opening Patriot K-Nine LLC, she was recognized as a “Woman Veteran Up-and-Coming Entrepreneur” for Fayetteville, NC.
In 2016, Amber officially began her transition into behavior consulting. Currently working on case studies and attending courses with schools such as Duke University and The University of Edinburgh. She is a member of APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) and IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals), an affiliate trainer with I’d Rather Be With My Dog. Pet First Aid and CPR Certified for both Dogs and Cats. (#151207942142128), and a Doggone Safe Educator.
In 2018, Amber began working with foster organizations throughout Cumberland and surrounding counties to provide behavioral safety and temperament assessments for families that are fostering and adopting children ages newborn through 17 (seventeen).
In 2021, Amber was selected to become a board member for the Fayetteville Animal Protection Society and in 2022 assumed the position of Secretary on the Executive Board.
Each year she is continually adding to her education by attending seminars with her trainers and encourages education, inclusiveness, tolerance in all she does.
When not at the training shop, you can find her spending time with one of her 3 Great Danes (Domino, Maverick, and Steve) or Docking Diving her Australian Shepherd, Sriracha aka Chilli.
