Shawn Cathcart is the Director of Training at SMASH K9, LLC. Along with the owner, he created SMASH K9 to provide the highest quality canine training services and to build the bridge to independence for pet and service dog owners.  Shawn has strong ties to the community and volunteers regularly with Warfighter Advance. He also works with several local animal rescue groups. 

Shawn has an extensive background and training in K9 services; in May 2019 he retired from law enforcement after seventeen years of service. Shawn was assigned to the K9 Unit as a handler in 2013 and worked his way up to assistant trainer within the unit in the disciplines of Patrol, Narcotics and Explosives. He handled two dogs while in the unit: a dual-purpose patrol and narcotics K9 and a single purpose explosive detection K9. In 2018, Shawn was accredited as a Patrol and Explosives K9 Trainer through the International Police Work Dog Association.  Shawn has been professional handling/training dogs for 10 years.

Shawn’s love of dogs, his training expertise, and his desire to help the community are apparent when you meet him. You can see how the dogs respond to him and when you hear the ideas and solutions, he has about how to help others; be it through service training or pet training, Shawn wants to help you and your dog be the best team you can be.