Certified Handlers. Real Working-Dog Experience.
Our trainers are dedicated to helping dogs and their owners achieve real, lasting results. Every member of the Summit Kennels team is a veteran with professional canine experience, and every one of them stays involved with your dog from the evaluation through the drive home. This is who you would actually be working with.
Sierra Parks - Owner & Head Trainer
I grew up in Pueblo West, Colorado, and always had dogs. My interest in training started in 2015 when I got my first border collie. I wanted her to be the best dog around, and she didn't disappoint. I spent most of my free time studying obedience and agility technique and working with her until we were competing across the state and taking master titles home.
In 2020 I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a military police officer, and pursued the same passion by going to JBSA Lackland to train as a military working dog handler. I was stationed as an explosive detection dog handler, where I kept learning from a range of trainers and dog teams, and I later attended the MWD Trainers Course along with an E-collar and Utilization Course. From there I was training new handlers and canines into better working teams.
Sharing your home with an animal can be a dream or a nightmare. My job is to make sure it is the first one. I took over ownership of Summit Kennels in 2025, and I have been training dogs for more than ten years.
Accreditations
- Basic Handler Course — Lackland AFB
- Military Working Dog Trainer's Course — HCDC
- E-collar Training & Utilization Course — HCDC
- Tracking and Trailing Course — HCDC
- AKC Agility Standard & Weaves Masters Title
- Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
Ishman Davis - Canine Specialist, Tracking & Trailing Lead
Born and raised in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Ishman developed a deep respect for discipline, teamwork and performance early. After earning a sports scholarship to Northwest Ohio, his path shifted toward service and he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2012.
In 2013 he became a military working dog handler, supporting base security operations as well as multiple Secret Service and Presidential missions. His expertise led to selection into the elite MARSOC canine pipeline in 2015, where he served as a subject matter expert in multi-purpose canine capabilities. Over his career he has deployed to multiple combat zones and trained numerous foreign internal defence dog teams across the globe. Ishman leads our GAK9NC Elite Skills program.
Accreditations
- Basic Handlers Course — Lackland AFB
- HME Advanced Course — Tripwire Operations Group
- Trainer Course — Lackland AFB
- GAK9 Advanced & Trainer Course
- Decoy, Odor & Trainer Course — Vohne Liche Kennels
- Odor & Decoy Trainer — K2 Solutions
- Direct Action Course — Moyock, NC
- Certified in K9 First Aid and TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care)
Isaac Cutshall - Canine Specialist
I have been training with dogs for the last six years, and in that time I have grown a real passion for training both dogs and handlers, helping them build a stronger bond and better communication with each other. I don't just enjoy training dogs; I take pride in instructing and leading owners through the proper steps so they can keep the training going on their own.
I can't wait to start this journey with you and your dog and to help you get to a healthy, stress-free and positive relationship. I look forward to being part of your journey and leaving a positive impact on your pup's life.
Garrett Watkins - Founder
Garrett brings over a decade of canine training experience with a diverse background in law enforcement and military Special Operations canine handling. He founded Summit Kennels in 2022 and owned and operated the company until 2025. Summit Kennels is now owned and operated by former lead trainer Sierra Parks.
Accreditations
- Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
- 341st Training Squadron Military Working Dog Handler Graduate
- Vohne Liche Kennels Basic Handlers Course Graduate
- VLK Decoy Trainer
- Tripwire Operations Group — Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Trainer Graduate, Home Made Explosive Canine Detection
- Georgia K9 Basic and Intermediate Tracking School Graduate
- K2 Solutions Odor Imprint Trainer
- ATF National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) Certified
Tigo - Retired
Tigo spent five years working alongside Garrett as his Special Operations multi-purpose canine. In that time they travelled to eleven countries and completed two combat deployments together. Tigo is now retired and living the comfortable, slower-paced life he very much deserves. He still helps out at group training sessions and makes friends everywhere he goes.
Our Standards as a Team
- Fully insured through Business Insurers of the Carolinas
- Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals
- AKC-certified evaluators, Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R. Puppy, Urban and Advanced
- 100% veteran team, every trainer with professional working-dog experience
How Your Trainer Is Assigned
You are matched at the evaluation, not allocated by whoever has a gap in the calendar. The match is based on what your dog needs: a tracking and detection case goes to Ishman, a behavior or bite-history case goes to a trainer with the relevant operational background, a puppy goes to whoever is strongest with foundation work.
Once you are assigned, that trainer stays with your dog through the whole program and runs your follow-on lessons themselves. You will not be handed to a different person for the handover, and you will not be explaining your dog's history twice.
FAQ
01 Can I choose which trainer works with my dog?
You can tell us your preference and we will accommodate it where we can, but the match is usually driven by what your dog needs. If a case calls for a specific background, we will explain why.
02 Will the same trainer do my follow-on lessons?
Yes. The trainer who taught your dog teaches you. That continuity is the whole point of the handover.
03 What does AKC-certified evaluator mean?
It means our trainers are authorised by the American Kennel Club to test and certify dogs for Canine Good Citizen, S.T.A.R. Puppy, and the Urban and Advanced levels, so your dog can earn those titles with us directly.
04 Do your trainers still work with working dogs?
Yes, through our GAK9NC Elite Skills program, tracking, detection and operational K9 training for professional teams. That work is what keeps the standard on the family-dog side where it is.