Sgt Brice Cavanaugh currently owns Team Dog! San Antonio as well as founded and oversees Operation Overwatch, a Service Dog training 501c3. Brice also founded F.I.D.O. – Fitness Inspired Dog Owners, Puppy Preschool and DogHelp. These businesses combine services and products to help people get the most out of their relationship with their furry friend!
Brice’s unique perspectives come from decades of experience, from the tactical training and deployment of Military Working Dogs and Police Service Dogs to the instruction of deployment teams working in theater in some of the harshest conditions in the world.
Here is a look at his early tactical work:
Accomplishments
- Developed and implemented the Explosives Detection Canine Unit, Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-One), Quantico VA and NAS Anacostia DC and served as founding Kennel Master.
- Conducted overseas missions in multiple countries during tenure at HMX-One.
- Conducted over 100 missions in direct support of the US Secret Service. Protectees included five US Presidents, multiple First Ladies, King Hussein of Jordan, Fidel Castro, Butros Ghali, varying elements of the Dept of Defense command structure, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and many others.
- Participated in the state funeral of Former President Richard M Nixon, April 2004.
- Located improvised explosive device on Presidential support mission, 1995.
- Provided support for the United Nations 50th Anniversary, at both event cities, San Francisco and New York, 1995.
- Assisted in hunt for Theodore Kaczinski (the Unabomber) 1995.
- Participated in the hunt for the DC Snipers, October 2002 (as Fairfax County Deputy).
- Currently on Board of Directors, National Tactical Police Dog Association.
- Former Board Member, Canine Political Action Corps.
- Guest Speaker, International Association of Canine Professionals Annual Conference.
- Completed eight years in the United States Marine Corps with Honorable Discharge, 1992-96, 1997-01.
- POST Certified (CA) as a Canine Team Evaluator, 1995.
- President, 40th Session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, VA and completed same with 94.3% scholastic average, 2001-02.
- Steward, United States Police Canine Association Detector Certification Trial, Region Three, March 2002.
- Narcotic Detector Certified, USPCA, March 2001. Placed 1st in Trial.
- Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal May 2001.
- Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal October 2000.
- Hundreds of K9 demonstrations for various groups, from Scouts to Veterans, schools to corporations, parents to Congressmen.
- Instrumental in the House Resolution that enabled retired Military Working Dogs to be adopted out after service.
- Participated annually in the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots campaigns.
- Assisted in the 24th Annual Marine Corps Marathon.
- Certified as Naval Air Crew, UCB-12, October 1994, receiving Air Crew Wings that month.
- Coordinated the 11th Annual Yuma Area Police K9 Trials, March 1998.
- Developed and presented bomb threat awareness training for civilian staff of Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA 1995-96.
- Bomb threat responses at installations, local community, hospitals and a Lollapalooza event.
- Assisted local law enforcement in the recovery weaponry used in local gang related shooting as Marine MWD Handler.
- Assisted in the 1996 Republican National Convention, San Diego CA.
- Distinguished Honor Graduate, Military Police School, Ft McClellan AL 1993.
- Instrumental in updating Canine Explosive Scent Kits (CESK) to modern standards.
- Instrumental in developing off leash explosives detection protocols and influential in modern training and deployment of tactical K9s.
- Member of Special Reaction Team (Sniper) Yuma AZ, helping to establish new Counter Sniper Unit, 1997-99.
Education
- High School, Forest Lake Academy, 1990
- Marine Corps Boot Camp, 1992
- Marine Combat Training, 1993
- Military Police School, 1993
- K9 Patrol Handler Course, 1993
- K9 Detector Handler Course, 1994
- K9 Supervisor/Trainer Course, 1994
- UCB-12 Naval Air Crew, 1994
- Explosives Drivers Course, 1994
- Hazardous Materials Course, First Responder Awareness, 1995
- K9 Team Evaluator, California POST Certification, 1995
- Oleoresin Capsicum Exposure Training, 1995
- Special Reaction Team Training, Phase One, 1998
- Counter-drug Marksman Observer Course, 1998
- Military Functions in Civil Disturbances, 1998
- Sergeant Nonresident Program, 1998
- Written Communication, 1998
- Battle Skills, 1998
- Weapons, 1998
- Infantry Squad Leader Tactics, 1999
- Infantry Patrolling, 1999
- Terrorism Awareness, 1999
- Principles of Instruction for the Marine NCO, 2000
- Counseling for Marines, 2000
- NHTSA Police Traffic RADAR, 2000
- Arizona Department of Public Safety ACJIS Network Terminal Operator, 2000
- High Risk Personnel Course (Pistol Specific), 2001
- Deputy Sheriff’s Combined Basic School, 2002
- Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy, 2002
- Commonwealth of Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Officer Certification, 2002
- Alpha K9 School for the Hare Method of Detector Dog Training 2006
- Tarheel Canine LE Tactical Building/High Risk Vehicle K9 Applications 2006
As an instructor in the tactical field, constant reading of journals and LE updates is perpetual. Not listed are dozens of courses that cover everything from Counterterrorism Tactics to Radiological Scanning Devices.
Awards
- First Place, Narcotics Detection, United States Police Canine Association (Region Three),
- 2001 Detector Dog Trials.
- Third Place Overall, First Place Team, USPCA (3) Iron Dog Competition, with a time of 17:48.
- First Place, Explosives Detection, Orange County (CA) Trials, 1994.
- Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, October 2000.
- Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal, May 2001.
- Good Conduct Medal (Two).
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award (Twice).
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Three).
- National Defense Medal (Twice).
- Meritorious Mast (Twice)
- Certificate of Commendation (Twice)
- Letter of Appreciation (47)
- “Distinguished Honor Graduate”, Military Police Academy, 1993