ABOUT

East Coast K9 LLC, a veteran owned and operated company, was established in 2025 by Daniel Maier. Daniel has over 20 years’ experience in canine and was a prior K9 Handler for the United States Army as well as a K9 Government Contractor for the State Department. Daniel has also worked for several of the leading civilian canine companies across the United States, specializing in developing canines, as well as instructing and training civilians, law enforcement, and military in canine operations. East Coast K9 was created in response to observing the same persistent issues within the industry to include poorly established canine programs, poor canine development, subpar handler training, poor client relations, and company dysfunction. East Coast K9 mission is to raise the standard by not simply meeting certification standards but exceeding them. We work to ensure the client has a comprehensive understanding of canine operations and we deliver real world, result driven training tailored to each client’s operational environment and needs. East Coast K9 will also serve as a trusted resource for building and maintaining an effective canine program.

ABOUT THE OWNER

Daniel Maier grew up in Fayetteville, NC just outside Ft Bragg. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army as a 31B (Military Police). His military career started off fast, deploying with the 101st Airborne Division immediately once completing Basic/AIT (Advanced Individual Training). Within a little over his first 4 years he already had one 12 and 15 month deployment under his belt serving in OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) and OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). One of many awards and accolades earned during that time was a “school of choice”. Followed with a reenlistment his journey with K9 started as he attended MWD School (Military Working Dog School) based out of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. Years later, following the end of his military service, Daniel continued on as a K9 Government Contractor for the State Department. Daniel’s K9 career has gained him extensive knowledge and experience in canine operations with a total of 5 ½ years in combat, 3 ½ of those as K9 attached to both Joint and Special Operations. He’s provided K9 support working alongside the Secret Service for the President, Vice President, as well as many other politicians or foreign dignitaries. Daniel’s State Department duties also included 2 years overseas as K9 in support of the US Embassy in Afghanistan. Daniel has served as a Narcotics and Explosives Handler, Master Trainer, Instructor, Kennel Master, and Program Manager. He has trained under other countries canine programs as well as worked for a majority of the major canine companies within the United States. Daniel’s extensive experience has been sought out by civilians, police agencies and military organizations for seminars and specialized training (both basic or advanced) obedience, detection, and aggression as well as breeding, procurement, and program development. Combined with his experience and knowledge of Military, Nort, Ort, 3PK9, IPWDA, and AMPWDA certifications standards is what ultimately motivated him to start East Coast K9 LLC.