TIM VAILLANCOURT
OWNER AND HEAD TRAINER
Meet Tim Vaillancourt, the Owner and Head Trainer of PROFORMANCE K9. Tim has an impressive background as a former Improvised Explosive Device Detection Dog handler in the United States Marine Corps. At the head of the patrol, Tim and his dog, Sage, ensured the safety of the Marines that followed. Tim tried many different avenues to continue working with dogs while still enlisted, but with the drawdown of the war in Afghanistan, options were limited. Tim found his calling while working with Sage in Afghanistan and made the hard choice to leave the Marine Corps in 2014 to pursue other dog training opportunities.
After his military service, Tim pursued his passion for dog training by attending a professional school for dog trainers. There, he excelled in various areas of study, including pet obedience, AKC and Schutzhund obedience, specific odor detection, search and rescue, Schutzhund tracking, protection, and agility. Upon completing his schooling, Tim began working for PROFORMANCE K9 in 2015 under world renowned dog trainer, Deb Zappia. Nine years later and hundreds of dogs trained, Tim took over PROFORMANCE K9 upon Deb’s retirement in 2022.
Outside of pet obedience, Tim is a national competitor for American Schutzhund, of which he is also a founding member and judge. Tim also is a judge and instructor for scent-work sports and continues his education in dog training and behavior by attending seminars on a monthly basis.
Tim's expertise extends to working with family dogs of different breeds, ages and sizes, where he focuses on basic obedience training along with issues regarding dog aggression, aggression towards people and resource guarding. He takes pride in collaborating with pet owners to develop a training regimen that suits both the handler and the dog, with a focus on maintaining a positive attitude, building confidence and improving the relationships between families and their dogs! With Tim leading the pack at PROFORMANCE K9, you can expect exceptional training and guidance for your beloved companion.
AUTUMN LEE
APPRENTICE
Autumn is a dedicated individual with a deep love for dogs. Having grown up around them, she developed a strong passion for dogs, she went on to pursue her dream of a career in dog training, Autumn worked at County Line Animal Hospital while completing the Penn Fosters Online Dog Obedience Program.
After completing the program, Autumn was eager to further expand her knowledge and skills in dog obedience and training. Recognizing the incredible opportunity it presented, Autumn wasted no time in reaching out to Tim, a highly skilled dog trainer in Marion, NY and eagerly embraced the chance to learn and grow under his guidance at PROFORMANCE K9.
Autumn's main objective is to continually expand her knowledge base and expertise in dog obedience and training. Her ultimate goal is to build a rewarding career working with dogs, helping them become well-behaved and happy companions. With her passion, dedication, and previous experience, Autumn is poised to make a meaningful impact in the field of dog training.
Autumn is responsible for the upkeep of the kennel and ensures each dog is comfortable, loved and receives the attentive care they deserve!
COURTNEY O’DONNELL
SOCIAL MEDIA SUPPORT
Courtney has been training under Tim since 2019. Tim has helped her achieve her goals in IGP and continues to guide her in the sport of American Shutzhund. Courtney is a member of the Empire Working Dog Club and continues her knowledge in dog training and behavior by attending seminars on a monthly basis and attends a majority of Deb Zappia’s workshops.
With Tim’s ongoing support and guidance, Courtney became an Explosive Detection Handler Dog Team for the Ottawa Airport and was certified through Transport Canada from 2021-2023. She then pursued a training career with In- Line K9 in Ottawa and continues to participate in K9 Sports.
Courtney supports PROFORMANCE K9 in social media management and content creation! Although she is not an official PROFORMANCE K9 employee, she plays an important role. Her voluntary support ensures that our online presence remains fun and engaging!