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 continued to keep him company during his 40-year cheffing career and still to this day. In early 2008, looking for change, Robert began inundating himself in the Search & Recovery K-9 field. He was told that, on average, it would take two years of training to certify a dog for Human Remains Detection (HRD). However, in less than nine months, Robert successfully certified his first Doberman, Ares, in both land and water HRD.
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 participated in continuing education courses with Western Carolina University that includes canine behavior, forensic anthropology, lost person behavior, and cadaver search training in both land and water. He is certified with the University of Michigan in blood borne pathogen, HAZMAT, and crime scene preservation with the Bay County Florida Sheriff's Department. Accomplishments also include certifications of achievement that reaffirm his dedication to serve in times of crisis and continue professional development through FEMA and The U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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 (Natches, 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, the head groomer and assistant trainer, 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. Since February 2022, she has been actively involved in the care and management of canine patients displaying signs of insecurity, anxiety, dominance, and fear, while fulfilling the role as a Veterinary Technician at Critter Care.
