About Us

Highland Canine Training Center is located on 17+ acres of training grounds, surrounded by relaxing countryside in the foothills of North Carolina. Highland Canine Training is just minutes away from many NASCAR shops and garages and only a short drive from beautiful Lake Norman and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.

Our facility has several large training fields, fenced areas for exercise as well as ponds and nature trails for walks. We also have on-site student housing, a dog safe rubble pile, classrooms, agility areas as well as other areas designed for working dog training. Visitors are always welcome during business hours - appointments are requested to ensure the availability of staff.

Statesville Regional Airport is 21 miles from the Training Center, and is conveniently located minutes from Downtown Statesville.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is less than an hour drive from the Training Center. Airport pick-up and delivery is available.

Highland Canine offers on-site housing for police dog handlers and working dog clients during their stay at our facility. We also offer affordable housing for students of our dog trainer courses.

Jason Purgason, CPDT-KA - Training Director

Jason is the training director of Highland Canine Training, LLC. A reserve police officer and former Police Canine Handler, Jason conducts police canine handler courses as well as trainers courses and all working dog training. Jason earned his Police Canine Instructor's Certification and has trained canines in the areas of Narcotics Detection, Explosives Detection, Police Patrol, Urban Disaster, Scent Discrimination Tracking and Cadaver Detection. Jason has instructed seminars for Police Canine Handlers at NASA, the Pentagon Police and for many other professional, government and law enforcement teams across the world. Jason is also a Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog trainers APDT# 76692 >>READ MORE

704.728.9494 Email jpurgason@highlandcanine.com

Erin Purgason, BS - Owner

Erin is the owner of Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been a sworn law enforcement officer since 2002. She directs our obedience and behavior modification training programs and also assists with the training of dogs for police patrol, detection and search and rescue. Erin also oversees our Assistance Dogs for Autism Program and assists with training dogs and working with their new families. Erin has worked with animals in clinical settings since 1995 and has owned and worked with dogs all her life. Erin also handles a scent discrimination tracking bloodhound for K-9 Search and Rescue. Erin is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 74668 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

704.539.5604 Email epurgason@highlandcanine.com

Natalee Erquitt, B.S, M. Ed - Office Manager

Natalee has over 20 years of experience teaching both in North Carolina and Georgia. She first began working with students and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in 1990. Natalee has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M. Ed. in Special Education with concentration in Behavior Disorders.

Natalee started as a client of Highland Canine Training, LLC two years ago working with her rescue puppy and conducting protection training at our facility in Harmony, NC. Natalee is our Office Manager and handles processing applications for Autism Assistance and Service Dog clients as well as for students of our School for Dog Trainers. Natalee ensures that our clients have a seamless experience in working with the trainers at our facility. Natalee is also a volunteer/foster with local area rescue organization.

704.539.5604 Email training@highlandcanine.com

Samantha Wells, Trainer

Samantha "Sam" Wells came to us via our Behavior Modification Trainer Course this past spring. Our staff was so impressed with her natural dog handling skills that she was offered a position as a trainer. She first began her dog handling experience working the puppies for a seeing eye dog assistance program. Sam currently works with our Autism Assistance and Service Dog Training Program along with assisting pet owners with basic and advanced obedience.

Sam is originally from the southern part of North Carolina and has recently relocated to the Statesville area. While doing pro bono work through our Second Chance Program, Sam met Dolly, a large mixed breed that has become part of her family. Sam is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. APDT# 79464

704.539.5604 Email samwells@highlandcanine.com

Corey Archer, Instructor - Trainer

Corey has over 15 years of law enforcement experience in Alabama. While volunteering at a local fire department in 1994, he began working with dogs doing search and rescue work. His law enforcement experience and dog handling skills combined in 1997 when he became a Police Canine Handler using a detection dog. In 2006 he expanded his handling skills to patrol, narcotics, and trailing as well as handling Iso, a German Shepherd he obtained from Highland Canine Training. Each year he renews his K9 handler certification and has recently joined our training team as an instructor and trainer. He instructs students attending our Police Canine Course and other working dog courses.Corey is a member of the Alabama Narcotics Association and a former member of the National Police Canine Association. He has years of experience and expertise in highway interdiction, narcotics investigations and criminal investigations.

Corey also serves our clients in the Birmingham, Alabama area. He offers Private Lessons, Group Classes, In-Home Training, Search and Rescue and Scent Discrimination Trailing and Behavior Modification for dogs with problem behaviors such as shyness, biting and aggression. Corey has considerable experience in working with dog problems and brings that experience to our clients in Birmingham, Gardendale, Fultondale, Hoover, Jasper, Cullman and the surrounding areas. Corey is currently a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. APDT# 79463 >>READ MORE

205.443.2063   Email carcher@highlandcanine.com


Lisa Scobel, BA - Baton Rouge/ New Orleans, LA Dog Trainer

Lisa came to us with a passion for working with dogs. She is a graduate of Highland Canine Training, LLC School for Dog Trainers and is a Certified Dog Trainer. Lisa has experience working with and rehabilitating a variety of breeds with all types of behavioral issues. Lisa has worked with rescue groups and shelters both in North Carolina and Louisiana and has helped to successfully rehabilitate shelter dogs with severe behavioral issues. Lisa conducts Group Classes, Private Lessons, In-Home Training, In-Kennel Training, Therapy Dog Training, Service Dog Training and specializes in Behavior Modification. Lisa proudly serves clients in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Hammond, Covington, Mandeville, Metairie, Slidell, Kenner and the surrounding areas. She is also a Trainer / Evaluator for the Therapy Dog Club. Lisa is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. APDT# 79959 >>READ MORE

Lisa also assists in our Assistance Dogs for Autism program and enjoys working with and training dogs for families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders. Lisa assists in training Austism Service Dogs and also delivering dogs to their families throughout the United States.

504.858.5284   Email lscobel@highlandcanine.com

Alison Pennington - Charlotte, NC / Lake Wylie, SC Dog Trainer

Alison Pennington assists our clients in Charlotte, NC, Lake Wylie, South Carolina and the surrounding areas. Alison is a graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified in on and off leash obedience and canine behavior modification. Alison assists with training therapy dogs as well as working with dogs in agility and rally-obedience. Alison enjoys training dogs and working with clients to help resolve problems such as jumping, pulling, biting, fighting, and aggression. Alison conducts private lessons, In-home training and group classes to help dog owners learn how to better understand and communicate with their dogs in order to develop better relationships between them. She also continues to work with local shelters and rescue groups to assist in rehabilitating problem dogs. Alison is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 77479 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.     >>READ MORE

704.770.8205 Email apennington@highlandcanine.com

Kress Walters- Charlotte, NC Dog Trainer

Kress Walters assists our clients in Greater Charlotte, NC, area. Kress is a graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified in on and off leash obedience and specializes in canine behavior modification. Kress' expertise lies in rehabilitating problematic dogs with issues such as jumping, dominance, fear and phobias, biting, fighting, and aggression. Kress conducts private lessons, In-Home training, In-Kennel Training and group classes to work toward building better relationships between dogs and owners. He also continues to work with local shelters and rescue groups to assist in rehabilitating problem dogs. While attending our school Kress met Trooper, a dog from our Second Chance Program, who he adopted into his family. Kress is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 80023 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator   >>READ MORE

704.430.4983 Email kwalters@highlandcanine.com

Linda Taylor, BA, CPT - Winston-Salem, NC Dog Trainer

Linda proudly serves our clients in the Winston-Salem, Lewisville, Clemmons and Tanglewood areas. Linda has been in the training field since 1998. Her instruction teaches the importance of the client-dog relationship and the impact this has on successful training. Linda will discuss your goals and design a training/obedience program based on the individual needs of both the owner and the dog. Linda’s focus is on pet obedience, behavior modification and therapy dogs. Her skills in working with people as a personal trainer also makes her an excellent resource to pet owners to learn their important role in the development and training of their dog. Linda also teaches group classes at our Harmony, NC location. Linda is a Certified Therapy Dog Trainer / Instructor for the Therapy Dog Club and is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 71208 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.    >>READ MORE

704.500.6810 Email ltaylor@highlandcanine.com

Ken Wright, - Hickory, NC Dog Trainer

Ken conducts Private Lessons, In-Home Training and Group Dog training classes for our clients in the Hickory - Denver-West Lake Norman area of NC. Ken has extensive experience with animals and has worked with dogs since 2005. Ken has shown dogs in conformation and won a number of awards.

Ken is a 2009 graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified in on and off leash obedience and canine behavior modification. Ken specializes in working with mastiff breeds and also works extensively with aggressive dogs and breeds that are deemed, "hard to train". He is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 80024 and a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator for the American Kennel Club.   >>READ MORE

704.309.6952 Email kwright@highlandcanine.com

Kim Paciotti - Mooresville, NC Dog Trainer

Kim Paciotti assists our clients in the Mooresville and Lake Norman areas of North Carolina. Kim is a graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified in on and off leash obedience and specializes in canine behavior modification. She is also a graduate of Animal Behavior College in Shelter and Rescue Dogs. Kim offers training with dogs in Agility, K-9 Nosework and Rally-Obedience. She is also a Certified Dog Tricks Trainer. Kim enjoys training dogs and working with clients to help resolve problems such as jumping, pulling, biting, fighting, and aggression. Kim conducts private lessons, In-home training and group classes to help dog owners learn how to better understand and communicate with their dogs in order to develop better relationships between them. She also continues to work with local shelters and rescue groups to assist in rehabilitating problem dogs. Kim is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 79484 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.    >>READ MORE

704.877.7821 Email kpaciotti@highlandcanine.com

Jaime Stuart, MA - Lake Norman Dog Trainer

Jaime Stuart assists owners and their dogs at our facility conducting private lessons and group classes. Jaime also conducts In-home dog training, behavior modification and evaluations for owners in the Lake Norman, Troutman, Mooresville and Statesville, NC areas and is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Jaime assists with the training of service dogs as well as working dogs in training for police, detection, protection and search and rescue. Jaime conducts lectures and training on human decomposition and other topics as part of our school for dog trainers. Jaime also assists in teaching cadaver dog and Search and Rescue Dog Seminars throughout the country and abroad. She has worked for 5 years as an assistant at several local animal hospitals. Jaime has also coordinated cadaver dog training for more than 3 years through the Anthropology Department at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. Jaime is also a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 74752    >>READ MORE

704.498.6115 Email jstuart@highlandcanine.com

Megan Gerber - Atlanta Dog Trainer

Megan Gerber assists our clients at our location serving the Metro Atlanta area of Georgia including, Atlanta, Decatur, Roswell, Dunwoody, Dekalb County, Fulton County and the surrounding areas. Megan helps clients in the greater Metro Atlanta Area with their dog training needs. She was certified in Dog Obedience and Behavior Modification by Highland Canine. Megan has lived with dogs all of her life but didn’t realize how difficult it could be to manage a dog until she adopted her first dog as an adult. She went through several trainers before she found one that could finally help her manage her dog. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for dog training.

She conducts in home, private lessons and group classes for on and off leash obedience and behavior modification lessons. In addition, she offers in-kennel training in her own home on a limited basis. Megan enjoys working with all breeds and sizes of dogs. Her goal is to help you create and maintain the best possible relationship between you and your dog(s). She is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 79594 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.     >>READ MORE

678.491.4555 Email mgerber@highlandcanine.com

Brittany Horbert - Tampa / Clearwater, FL Dog Trainer

Brittany Horbert assists our clients in the Tampa - Clearwater areas of Florida including Tampa, Clearwater, Odessa, Holiday, Land O' Lakes, Temple Terrace, Lutz, New Tampa, South Tampa and the Palm Harbor, FL areas. Brittany is a graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified in on and off leash obedience and canine behavior modification. Brittany assists dog owners by teaching private lessons, in-home training in-kennel training and group classes. She offers on and off leash obedience training as well as behavior modification to assist owners in resolving unwanted behaviors such as jumping, biting, countersurfing, shyness and aggressive behaviors. Brittany specializes in dogs with disabilities and currently owns a deaf collie mix. She is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 76928 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.     >>READ MORE

813.300.4160 Email bhorbert@highlandcanine.com

Jon Lugo - San Juan, Puerto Rico Dog Trainer

John Lugo offers training and education for our clients on the island of Puerto Rico. John is a graduate of the Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers and is certified basic and advanced, off-leash obedience and behavior modification. John provides private lessons, in-home training and group classes to teach dog owners how to better communicate with their dogs. In addition to obedience training and behavior modification, John trains service dogs for those with disabilities as well as training Protection and Search and Rescue dogs. John is passionate about dogs and this clearly shows in his work with clients and their dogs. One of his main objectives in Puerto Rico is to not only educate the public but to also assist in rehabilitating and rehoming some of the many stray dogs of the island. He is also a current member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers APDT# 80059 and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.
>>READ MORE (en espanol)

787.486.5672 Email jlugo@highlandcanine.com