ICRWDA K9 Casualty Response Training
Real Scenarios. Tactical Medicine. Threat Response.
Limited Working K9 Team Spots Available - Audit Positions Open to All Working Dog Professionals
The ICRWDA K9 Casualty Response Training Course is a specialized two-day training program designed for law enforcement K9 teams, private security working dog teams, and detection dog handlers seeking to improve their ability to respond to real-world emergencies involving working dogs.
This course focuses on practical, operational scenarios that handlers may encounter during active threat incidents, large public gatherings, special events, and high-risk security deployments where K9 teams operate in complex environments.
Participants will train with an experienced instructor team combining operational K9 expertise, tactical response training, and advanced veterinary trauma care.
ICRWDA is proud to partner with Next Level K9 Texas and Dr. Erica O'Donnell to make this advanced K9 training event possible.
The goal is simple: ensure handlers have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect and treat their working dogs during critical incidents.
Course Overview
This course provides hands-on instruction and scenario-based training focused on K9 teams operating in real-world environments such as:
Major conferences and conventions
Sporting events and concerts
Hotels, casinos, and resorts
Large public gatherings
High-profile security deployments
Training emphasizes rapid response, casualty care, and handler decision-making under stress.
Reality Based Training Scenarios
The Reality Based Training (RBT) scenarios in this course are designed primarily for single-purpose and dual-purpose explosives detection K9 teams operating in bomb detection roles.
Training scenarios will simulate operational environments where explosives detection K9 teams may encounter threats, emergencies, or injuries during deployments.
Limited adjustments can be made to accommodate narcotics detection K9 teams if space allows, however the course content and scenarios are primarily designed around explosives detection operations.
Training Topics
Participants will receive instruction in the following areas:
Active Threat & Tactical Response
Active shooter and threat response for K9 teams
Handler-under-fire decision making
Tactical deployment considerations for working dog teams
K9 Casualty & Trauma Care
Canine trauma and casualty care
Emergency treatment for working dogs
Tactical veterinary response considerations
Immediate stabilization and evacuation protocols
Operational Response Skills
Reality based training scenarios
Live tactical exercises
Decision making under stress
Coordinating K9 teams during emergency incidents
This training prepares K9 handlers for the types of emergencies that cannot be replicated during routine detection or patrol training.
Who Should Attend
This course is intended for operational K9 teams, including:
Law enforcement K9 teams
Casino and private security working dog teams
Explosives detection dog handlers
Narcotics detection dog handlers (space dependent)
Independent working dog contractors
Handlers attending should currently be working with an active operational K9.
Instructor Team
Steven Antommarchi
Founder, Next Level K9 Texas
16+ years K9 operational experience
2025 World Police & Fire Games Gold Medalist
Ryan Millbern
President ICRWDA & Pinnacle Protection Group’s Director of K9 Operations & Gaming Security
18+ years working K9 operational experience
Retired law enforcement officer
K9 Explosives Detection Subject Matter Expert
Dr. Erica O'Donnell
DVM, MRCVS, CVA, CWDP, DACVECC
Board-certified veterinary critical care specialist
Emergency trauma specialist
Certified working dog professional
This instructor team combines operational K9 experience, tactical response knowledge, and advanced veterinary medicine expertise to provide a comprehensive training experience.
Training Dates & Location
May 3-4, 2026
Las Vegas, Nevada
Venue details will be provided to registered participants prior to the course.
About This Training
The International Casino & Resort Working Dog Association (ICRWDA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing professional standards, training, and education for working detection K9 teams.
As part of that mission, ICRWDA is proud to provide this important training event at no cost to participating handlers.
Through partnerships with Next Level K9 Texas and Dr. Erica O'Donnell, ICRWDA is able to bring together experienced instructors and subject matter experts to deliver high-quality training focused on real operational challenges faced by working K9 teams.
This program is designed to help strengthen the skills, safety, and operational readiness of law enforcement and private security K9 teams who deploy working dogs in high-risk environments.
Registration
Due to the hands-on nature of this training and the complexity of the Reality Based Training scenarios, the number of working K9 team positions is limited.
Working team spots are reserved for handlers attending with an operational K9 and participating in the live training exercises and scenario-based deployments.
An unlimited number of audit positions are available for handlers, supervisors, trainers, veterinarians, and working dog professionals who wish to attend the course without participating with a dog.
Auditors will be able to observe all classroom instruction and training scenarios while gaining valuable insight into K9 casualty response, tactical medicine, and operational response protocols.
Early registration is encouraged to secure one of the limited working team positions.