The Teams
Melissa Schmalhorst
Retired Veteran Military Dog Handler/Trainer
Founder/President of STMSAR
Melissa Schmalhorst was born in Wiesbaden, Germany into a military family. She grew up training horses and went to Missouri State University competing on the Equestrian Team, majoring in Animal Science. She began her military career in July 2008, joining the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During the ten years, she was an Armorer/Designated Marksman & Emergency Service Team (EST) Member at Incirlik AB, Turkey, a Fire Team leader/Heavy Weapon gunner at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and a patrol/explosive, patrol/narcotic canine handler at Fairchild AFB, Washington as well as the lead trainer for MWD teams. She deployed multiple times to the Middle East during Operation New Dawn/Enduring Freedom and alongside the US Secret Service with her explosive dogs Glen N733 & Bety R204. She also worked narcotics/patrol dog Bonno K473 while as the trainer. In 2015 she was assigned to the 341st at Lackland AFB and trained explosive, narcotic and controlled aggression dogs for all branches of the Military. In 2018, she was medically retired from the Air Force and wanted to continue utilizing her dog handling and riding skills. She served as a contract explosive dog handler for Dogs for Defense Inc and is currently a handler/trainer for the Israel Dog Unit. Melissa supported Israel during Operation Swords of Iron with her cadaver dogs in the Gaza Envelope.
Certifications – Military Working Dog Handler, MWD Trainer/Kennel Master, NASAR Crime Scene Preservation, S-V80 Survival, Evasion Resistance and Escape, S-V90 Water Survival Training, S-V84-AF Underwater Egress w/Helicopter, MWD Tier III Operations, NASAR SARTECH III Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III, FEMA IS-100, IS-700, FEMA Hazardous Material IS-5, American Working Dog VLK Cadaver Dog Certification.
Retired Veteran Military Dog Handler/Trainer
Founder/President of STMSAR
Melissa Schmalhorst was born in Wiesbaden, Germany into a military family. She grew up training horses and went to Missouri State University competing on the Equestrian Team, majoring in Animal Science. She began her military career in July 2008, joining the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During the ten years, she was an Armorer/Designated Marksman & Emergency Service Team (EST) Member at Incirlik AB, Turkey, a Fire Team leader/Heavy Weapon gunner at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and a patrol/explosive, patrol/narcotic canine handler at Fairchild AFB, Washington as well as the lead trainer for MWD teams. She deployed multiple times to the Middle East during Operation New Dawn/Enduring Freedom and alongside the US Secret Service with her explosive dogs Glen N733 & Bety R204. She also worked narcotics/patrol dog Bonno K473 while as the trainer. In 2015 she was assigned to the 341st at Lackland AFB and trained explosive, narcotic and controlled aggression dogs for all branches of the Military. In 2018, she was medically retired from the Air Force and wanted to continue utilizing her dog handling and riding skills. She served as a contract explosive dog handler for Dogs for Defense Inc and is currently a handler/trainer for the Israel Dog Unit. Melissa supported Israel during Operation Swords of Iron with her cadaver dogs in the Gaza Envelope.
Certifications – Military Working Dog Handler, MWD Trainer/Kennel Master, NASAR Crime Scene Preservation, S-V80 Survival, Evasion Resistance and Escape, S-V90 Water Survival Training, S-V84-AF Underwater Egress w/Helicopter, MWD Tier III Operations, NASAR SARTECH III Wilderness Search Specialist, IPWDA Certified Human Remains K9 Handler, NASAR Mounted SAR Tech III, FEMA IS-100, IS-700, FEMA Hazardous Material IS-5, American Working Dog VLK Cadaver Dog Certification.
John Jones
BlackStar Training Group Instructor
Vice President of STMSAR
John Jones is a Native-born Texan hailing out of El Paso. John has spent over 24 years serving as a First Responder in many roles, from Firefighter, Law Enforcement, Special Response Team, to the last 17 years as a Flight Paramedic and Clinical Educator Nationwide. John is a devoted father and husband to his wife Vivian and their kids. He has had the privilege of serving the great State of Texas as a Member of the Governors EMS & Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) Air Medical Committee and has assisted various government agencies as a Subject Matter Expert to include DEA, ATF, CBP, DHS, and many other Law Enforcement and First Responder Agencies. John also owns a local business BlackStar Training Group providing Defensive Firearms and Tactical Medical Training out of San Antonio and is working on a 501c3 non-profit Guardian Angel Defense of Texas that provides free Active Shooter Education to Schools and Churches in Texas. John currently maintains a Texas Level 4 Personal Protection Officer -Security License with TX DPS TOPS and is a certified TX DPS LTC & School Safety Instructor. In 2021, John began working with Melissa Schmalhorst privately to train Gunner, his GSD/Malinois K9 in Patrol Work and Firearms Detection and fell in love with being Gunner’s Handler. Upon seeing what Melissa was working hard to accomplish with STMSAR, he was excited to have the opportunity to join the team and bring his and Gunner’s particular set of skills and knowledge to be used to help others.
BlackStar Training Group Instructor
Vice President of STMSAR
John Jones is a Native-born Texan hailing out of El Paso. John has spent over 24 years serving as a First Responder in many roles, from Firefighter, Law Enforcement, Special Response Team, to the last 17 years as a Flight Paramedic and Clinical Educator Nationwide. John is a devoted father and husband to his wife Vivian and their kids. He has had the privilege of serving the great State of Texas as a Member of the Governors EMS & Trauma Advisory Council (GETAC) Air Medical Committee and has assisted various government agencies as a Subject Matter Expert to include DEA, ATF, CBP, DHS, and many other Law Enforcement and First Responder Agencies. John also owns a local business BlackStar Training Group providing Defensive Firearms and Tactical Medical Training out of San Antonio and is working on a 501c3 non-profit Guardian Angel Defense of Texas that provides free Active Shooter Education to Schools and Churches in Texas. John currently maintains a Texas Level 4 Personal Protection Officer -Security License with TX DPS TOPS and is a certified TX DPS LTC & School Safety Instructor. In 2021, John began working with Melissa Schmalhorst privately to train Gunner, his GSD/Malinois K9 in Patrol Work and Firearms Detection and fell in love with being Gunner’s Handler. Upon seeing what Melissa was working hard to accomplish with STMSAR, he was excited to have the opportunity to join the team and bring his and Gunner’s particular set of skills and knowledge to be used to help others.
Kate Sommer
Treasurer of STMSAR
Kate was born and raised in Northern Illinois. Growing up she was surrounded by horses and focused most of her attention on starting young horses and ponies before she switched her focus to young racehorses needing a new career. She also spent many years showing on the hunter/jumper circuit throughout the Midwest. After high school, Kate went on to attend college at The University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ where she received a bachelor’s in science in biology. She then furthered her education at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL where she received her doctorate in pharmacy. She has spent much of her early career in Level I Trauma centers, focusing on a career in critical care. In 2019, Kate moved to San Antonio, TX with her husband (veteran). Through the veteran community, Kate was introduced into the working dog world and was introduced to Melissa Schmalhorst. In late 2020, Kate acquired her first working dog and has since been working under the guidance of Melissa. With Melissa’s expertise, Kate has been spending her days away from the hospital learning and growing as a K9 handler.
Certifications – GSAR Wilderness Search Specialist, FEMA IS-100, IS-700, FEMA Hazardous Material IS-5, Crime Scene Preservation, First Aid/CPR, American Working Dog VLK Cadaver Dog Certification.
Treasurer of STMSAR
Kate was born and raised in Northern Illinois. Growing up she was surrounded by horses and focused most of her attention on starting young horses and ponies before she switched her focus to young racehorses needing a new career. She also spent many years showing on the hunter/jumper circuit throughout the Midwest. After high school, Kate went on to attend college at The University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ where she received a bachelor’s in science in biology. She then furthered her education at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL where she received her doctorate in pharmacy. She has spent much of her early career in Level I Trauma centers, focusing on a career in critical care. In 2019, Kate moved to San Antonio, TX with her husband (veteran). Through the veteran community, Kate was introduced into the working dog world and was introduced to Melissa Schmalhorst. In late 2020, Kate acquired her first working dog and has since been working under the guidance of Melissa. With Melissa’s expertise, Kate has been spending her days away from the hospital learning and growing as a K9 handler.
Certifications – GSAR Wilderness Search Specialist, FEMA IS-100, IS-700, FEMA Hazardous Material IS-5, Crime Scene Preservation, First Aid/CPR, American Working Dog VLK Cadaver Dog Certification.
Canine & Equine Partners
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Oakley the Kelpie (RETIRED)
Certified Human Remains Detection Oakley is trained to detect cadaver on foot patrols and alongside a STSAR mount. She served Israel during Operation Swords of Iron and currently serves alongside Brookes County, Remote Wildlands SAR. Handler: Melissa Schmalhorst |
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Molly the German Shorthair Pointer (RETIRED)
Certified Cadaver Detection
Handler: Kate Sommer
Certified Cadaver Detection
Handler: Kate Sommer
Gunner the Malinois/GSD
Certified Firearms Detection
Handler: John Jones
Certified Firearms Detection
Handler: John Jones
Check out BLM Mustangs page to meet our Equine Partners!
Check out one of our Hero Dog's in Israel!
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384017?fbclid=IwAR0g7ra97IOmR2daMAKJoucRZL2uOIjQMc8N9RGgRZNEtyG01sNe6GY6uY0
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/304410
Eden (Malinois) & Whiskey (Labrador) was trained by Melissa Schmalhorst and donated to the IDU.
Both have served during Operation Swords of Iron with the IDU/IDF.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/384017?fbclid=IwAR0g7ra97IOmR2daMAKJoucRZL2uOIjQMc8N9RGgRZNEtyG01sNe6GY6uY0
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/304410
Eden (Malinois) & Whiskey (Labrador) was trained by Melissa Schmalhorst and donated to the IDU.
Both have served during Operation Swords of Iron with the IDU/IDF.
