History
Our staff has been providing K-9 Pipeline Leak Detection for the pipeline industry since 2003. In 2013, after successfully completing a leak find in Hobbs, New Mexico for a major oil and gas company we decided to retire from actually going on jobs. It dawned on us that perhaps since we were the only ones with the knowledge to conduct leak detection using dogs, others may be interested in learning the concept. We then opened our training academy, K-9 Pipeline Training Academy LLC in 2014. Since then we have trained over 15 individuals in the use of dogs to detect leaks in natural gas and oil pipelines.
The success of our graduates has seen an increase in the use of dogs to detect leaks in pipeline. More and more pipeline companies are inquiring as to the use of dogs. As we are the originators of the concept and have an extensive client base, we still receive the calls for deployment which we then in turn, refer our closest graduates based on their geographical location to the job site.
Pipeline Leak detection is not for everyone. Over the years we have missed graduations, weddings, planned vacations, kids sporting activities, on and on. However, the reward in finding the leak with your dog is the same as finding contraband as a Law Enforcement Officer.
With new mandatory pipeline inspection guidelines being enforced by the government the use of dogs to detect leaks is becoming more prominent and a cost effective and expedient means to locate either large leaks or pin hole leaks in the pipeline.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact us at 352 552-4855 or at pnichol@atlantic.net
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ABOUT US
Partner
Paris Nicholson III- President & CEO
Since 1980 Paris has been working and training dogs. As a member of the U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department and Head Trainer of their K-9 Unit he received certification in Narcotics and Explosive Detection.
Education
Emerson College, Boston Ma
Activities & Affiliations
•ATF Federal Firearms Dealer
• ATF Explosive Possessor
• Certified Explosive and Narcotic Trainer
Training Facilities
Sorrento, Florida
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Partner
Maureen Maduro Nicholson
Maureen has been a member of the team since 2003. In providing pipeline leak detection to oil and gas companies it is imperative that accurate, daily billing records be kept. Maureen teaches Billing, Rates, Insurance Requirements, Scope of Work Sheets and assists in getting students set up and registered in the safety compliance data base systems for the industry.
Director of training
Chuck Pikin
Chuck Pipkin has been involved in the Law Enforcement industry for over 20+ years, 16 as an officer and K9 handler. He was a member and Trainer of the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s department, K-9 Unit. Chuck also has extensive training with firearms including: range master, armor, less lethal and taser instructor.
In 2015 Chuck retired from the Sheriff’s department. He was hired by a large police dog vender from Southern California as a trainer for law enforcement canine teams in northern California, southern Oregon and Nevada.
Also during that time Chuck and his wife of 30+ yrs opened their own training facility in northern California that included Foundation First K9 and a non-profit organization called Post Traumatic Service Dogs.
To this day the two companies listed are providing police service dogs to agencies both in the United States as well as over overseas. The non-profit has trained and placed several personal services dogs to people suffering with PTSD and TBI to assist with everyday tasked they are unable to accomplish on their own.
In 2017 Chuck and his family relocated their training facility to Jacksonville Florida and continued training at the new facility that includes: 6.5 acres of fenced secure property, including a 10 dog indoor/outdoor kennel, indoor training facility. The facility has an odor detection wall and scent boxes for both narcotics and explosive detection training. Access to vehicles for detection as well as patrol dog training, 3 acres dedicated to tracking, area searches and search and rescue training.
In 2018 Chuck joined with Paris Nicholson III and the KOPS staff. He has been tasked with training dogs and handlers in all the protection aspects of the dual purpose canine teams. This includes safety and fist aid, equipment use and care, canine decoy work and tactical canine deployment. Chuck also travels to the Caribbean to conduct regularly scheduled K-9 maintenance training.
Chuck was a dual purpose dog handler so he has extensive knowledge in the odor detection side of the canine team as well.
Chuck is also a member of:
California Police Officer’s Standards of Training (POST) canine trainer/evaluator
Protection Sports Association (PSA)
US Schutzhund association (USSA)