Instructors
Starmark Academy Training Directors and Instructors have been successful in many aspects of dog training: companion obedience, competitive obedience, agility, retriever training, search and rescue, and assistance dogs. Academy Instructors have instructed others at many levels of dog training and competition. Academy Directors and Instructors are active trainers and competitors and can be seen training young prospects and seasoned champions daily.
Catherine Lund
Catherine started her professional canine career in the United States Air Force as a military working dog handler to narcotics and explosive detection patrol canines. As a military working dog handler, she trained the MWDs on all aspects of odor detection, controlled aggression, building searching and obedience. After honorably separating, she worked as a narcotics handler for a contracting company, where she conducted canine sweeps of over one hundred educational facilities to reduce the presence of drugs, alcoholic beverages, medications, and weapons. When she wasn’t working, she started helping pet owners have clear communication with their furry family members and taking in behavior modification cases. After several years of working with pets, Catherine went back into training dual purpose dogs for police departments, contractors, and protection dogs for clients. She trained green working dogs on bitework, tracking, and odor detection for explosive, narcotics, accelerant, and weapons. She instructed handler’s courses, dog trainer courses, and decoy courses for LEO and clients. After finding a passion for training canine trainers, she officially left the working dog world and joined Starmark as the Lead Instructor to teach future dog trainers on how to become the best trainer that they can be.
Vince Renkel
RenkelAs a veteran of the United States Air Force and a Starmark Academy for Professional Dog Trainers Inc. Graduate, Vince has turned his interest in canines into his career. Soon after graduating the academy, Vince joined the Training Team at Starmark. During his time as a Canine Training & Behavior Specialist at Starmark Animal Behavior Center, Vince worked with dogs in several aspects of training. He is accomplished in basic and advanced obedience, behavior modification, off leash training, home manners, AKC Canine Good Citizen, and more. With extensive knowledge of desired training outcomes, Vince has been able to connect with clients and their dogs, to meet training goals in fun, effective, and rewarding ways. While conducting group classes, private lessons, and Stay and Train programs, Vince has provided expert techniques and compassionate guidance to create well mannered, confident companions.Now Vince is able to share his knowledge with aspiring students as an Instructor for Starmark Academy. He and his two demo dogs, Chief and Dagger, are eager to help students thrive in the world of dog training. As an Instructor, Vince teaches students not only how to work with dogs, but how to work with clients as well. He takes pride in offering instruction with clear communication and a passion for the career field of dog training.
Keith Benson
Keith is a certified professional dog trainer and animal behavior specialist with over 20 years of experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with continuing education in Animal Behavior. He is the CEO of Starmark Animal Behavior Center, Inc, which is one of the largest, most comprehensive training and behavior centers for dogs in the world. As CEO and Academy Director for Starmark’s school for Professional Dog Trainers, Keith oversees the school’s international curriculum and growth. The school attracts students from around the world seeking to learn the art and science behind a career as a professional dog trainer. Using client and behavioral research from these two corporations Keith helped found Starmark Pet Products, Inc., which designs award-winning training and behavior tools that are distributed in over 45 countries around the world. In addition to his executive role in these companies, Keith frequently provides media commentary and consulting for companies throughout the pet industry.
