Shannon Walker
CEO & FOUNDER
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
- Founder and CEO Northwest Battle Buddies: 2012-present
- Founder and Owner of Man's Best Friend Dog Training: 1997-present
- Founder and Owner of Shannon Walker, LLC
- Executive Director of ASDPMV (Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans): 2023-present
- Member of ASDPMV (Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans): 2017-present
- Board Member of ASDAC (American Service Dog Access Coalition)
- Standards Committee Member: 2019-present
- Members Committee Member: 2019-present
- IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals) Member
- TEDx Speaker on PTSD and Service Dogs: Beneath The Surface 2019 (view below)
- Frequent Contributor to nationally-syndicated News Radio Stations on the subject of Service Dogs: Ongoing
- Works with local police departments to assist with Police K9 training: 2002-present
Shannon was introduced to Schutzhund, a European canine sport that tests a dog’s tracking, obedience, and protection skills. Shannon learned how to train dogs using this method, under the tutelage of 1988 World Schutzhund Champion Gene England, owner of the renowned Advanced Canine Academy in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
While continuing to work with world-class trainers, Shannon competed and titled at local, regional, national, and international levels for 10 years, winning the 2003 European Championship in Diest, Belgium.
MY FATHER, MY HERO.
NORTHWEST BATTLE BUDDIES IS DEDICATED TO MY FATHER.
THE FIRST VETERAN I EVER KNEW.
My father Glenn Walker served in the United States Air Force, Airman 2nd Class, from 06-30-54 thru 12-02-57.
“To My Dad on Fathers Day... Thanks For: A love so sincere, encouraging me, believing in me, being strong with me. You are the best of the best. I love you, Shannon”
I wrote this when I was twelve years old and framed it as a gift for my father. I am forty-five years old now, and lost my father December 20th, 2011. I was at his side, as I had been for five days and nights; Serving him, loving him, taking care of him in the hospital. My dad was seventy-five years old.
My dad was a man, I mean a strong man. He carried himself with integrity and conviction. What he believed in was God, Family and Country. There are no words I could ever say to express the gratitude and pride that I have for the privilege of being his daughter. Making him proud was my life’s ambition… it still is. We were incredibly close and talked every day. I have him to thank for anything good I have ever done or will do.
He corrected me, encouraged me, spoke truth to me, comforted me and loved me. He taught me to love America and the men and women who served, fought and died protecting this great Nation, protecting the freedom that every American enjoys today. Having him as a father, was a true gift from God. Every day I miss his strength and influence in my life. Even as a young girl of twelve writing that Fathers Day tribute, I realized the blessing of having him as a father. But now at forty-five I am eternally grateful to God for the priceless gift that was given to me. To be raised by a Godly man, a patriot, devoted to his family….. A true American.
I will forever love my father, miss my father and strive to make him proud.
