The Teams
Melissa Schmalhorst
Retired Veteran Military Dog Handler/Trainer
Founder/President of STSAR
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 and majoring in Animal Science. She began her military career in July 2008 by joining the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During her 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 went on US Secret Service missions 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 also served as a contract explosive dog handler for Dogs for Defense Inc and is a handler/trainer for the Israel Dog Unit.
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 STSAR
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 and majoring in Animal Science. She began her military career in July 2008 by joining the United States Air Force as Security Forces. During her 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 went on US Secret Service missions 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 also served as a contract explosive dog handler for Dogs for Defense Inc and is a handler/trainer for the Israel Dog Unit.
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 STSAR
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 Sheppard/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 STSAR, 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.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, & CERTIFICATIONS
TX Level II/III/IV PPO Certified - Reserve Peace Officer/Tactical Medic (SRT) - Tactical EMS Training with DoE (ABQ,NM) - Tactical Operations & Movement - ARIC – Threat Liaison Officer - USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Instructor - Intuitive Defense Shooting Level 1 Instructor - Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor - Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer - Texas License to Carry Instructor - Tactical Shotgun/Tactical Carbine Rifle - Taser Operations - Low Lights/No Light Firearms Training - Krav Maga Self Defense - Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P) - Certified Medical transport Executive (CMTE) - Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C) - Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care Transport (PNCCT) - Basic Life Support Provider (CPR BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) - Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) - Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) - Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) - EMT Instructor/Coordinator - Texas LTC Instructor - RangeMaster Advanced Firearms Instructor - AHA Instructor/Coordinator (BLS, ACLS) - NAEMT Instructor – TCCC/PHTLS/AMLS/TECC - USCCA/IDS Firearms Instructor - AVERT/Active Shooter Instructor - Stop The Bleed Instructor - QRP Training - Vehicle Extrication Technician - Night Vision Goggle Training - Fire Suppression and Operations – Hazmat Awareness - Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness Training - Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) - Crew Resource Management (CRM) - Emergency Response to Terrorism -Crucial Conversations Training - Rotor Wing/Fixed Wing/Aviation Flight Operations – A/C Survival Training - FEMA IS- 100, IS- 200, IS-5, IS-700, IS-800
BlackStar Training Group Instructor
Vice President of STSAR
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 Sheppard/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 STSAR, 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.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING, EXPERIENCE, & CERTIFICATIONS
TX Level II/III/IV PPO Certified - Reserve Peace Officer/Tactical Medic (SRT) - Tactical EMS Training with DoE (ABQ,NM) - Tactical Operations & Movement - ARIC – Threat Liaison Officer - USCCA Concealed Carry & Home Defense Instructor - Intuitive Defense Shooting Level 1 Instructor - Pistol Mounted Optics Instructor - Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer - Texas License to Carry Instructor - Tactical Shotgun/Tactical Carbine Rifle - Taser Operations - Low Lights/No Light Firearms Training - Krav Maga Self Defense - Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic (EMT-P) - Certified Medical transport Executive (CMTE) - Certified Flight Paramedic (FP-C) - Pediatric/Neonatal Critical Care Transport (PNCCT) - Basic Life Support Provider (CPR BLS) - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) - Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) - Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) - Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) - Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) - Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS) - EMT Instructor/Coordinator - Texas LTC Instructor - RangeMaster Advanced Firearms Instructor - AHA Instructor/Coordinator (BLS, ACLS) - NAEMT Instructor – TCCC/PHTLS/AMLS/TECC - USCCA/IDS Firearms Instructor - AVERT/Active Shooter Instructor - Stop The Bleed Instructor - QRP Training - Vehicle Extrication Technician - Night Vision Goggle Training - Fire Suppression and Operations – Hazmat Awareness - Clandestine Drug Lab Awareness Training - Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) - Crew Resource Management (CRM) - Emergency Response to Terrorism -Crucial Conversations Training - Rotor Wing/Fixed Wing/Aviation Flight Operations – A/C Survival Training - FEMA IS- 100, IS- 200, IS-5, IS-700, IS-800
Kate Sommer
Treasurer of STSAR
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 STSAR
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.
