Meet the BTS K9 Team
The BTS K9 team includes dog trainers with over fifty years of combined experience. As a veteran-owned and operated dog training team in Fort Walton Beach, FL, we train dogs of all backgrounds while keeping consistency, quality, and teamwork central.
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Byron Beplay
Expert Dog Trainer | Owner
US Army Veteran of 13 years, 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Regiment. Byron began his dog training career after he separated from the Army and began working with his service dog. He became a passionate advocate for the Rescue 22 Foundation and Veteran suicide awareness.
He ventured into protection sports and developing protection dogs working under leading trainers in the U.S. and attending many schools and seminars in the disciplines of decoying, protection, detection, military and law enforcement K9 development. Byron enjoys working his own personal dog in scent detection and volunteers his time to help with local law enforcement K9 departments.
Byron was elected Commander of the Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit where he successfully completed Search and Rescue Missions for the State of Florida and North Carolina. Byron and his team have been hired for countless operations to include political details, local and state search and rescue, executive protection details, as well as premiering on multiple Hollywood movie sets, news stations, and the Mr Beast show on YouTube.
Byron is passionate about bringing awareness to the veteran community and creating a safer community through providing hand selected K9s and world class dog training for our clients.
Elena Beplay
Expert Dog Trainer | Owner
Elena is a US Air Force Veteran of 10 years and an entrepreneur. B.S. and M.B.A in Finance. She has been working with dogs and animals for the better part of her life. Elena began a career in dog training and started a business with her husband, Byron, after separating from the military. Her focus has been on providing pet dog training services and developing protection dogs for over 8 years.
As a mother of four, she understands the need for a well-trained dog and strives to provide that ease of mind and care to all of their clients. Elena enjoys training her personal dogs in search and rescue and protection sports.
Elena is a Ne Po Po Silver Graduate, a graduate in the Principles of Modern Day Dog Training, STS K9, and has attended multiple working dog seminars with Justin Rigney and Blue Stripe K9. Elena strives to pair the perfect K9 with the right client and hand-walk them through the process of selection and training.
Rebecca Dabney
Expert Dog Trainer | NePoPo® Gold Graduate
Rebecca Dabney was a police officer for the city of South San Francisco for thirteen years, nine of which she was on patrol with her K9 partner, Ares, a Belgian Malinois. During her time with Ares, she had hundreds of street deployments. She also contracted as a police K9 trainer for Trident K9 and multiple other training companies in Northern California. She attended several K9 Conferences, handler schools, is a Ne Po Po Gold Graduate, and trials during her time there.
In 2020, Rebecca moved to Naples, Florida where she joined Coastline K9 and quickly moved up to Lead Dog Trainer, overseeing the care and training of all pet dogs, mentoring new trainers, and assisting with personal protection dogs. In 2022, Rebecca joined the BTS K9 team as a senior trainer and decoy. She also began competing in PSA (Protection Sports Association) and earned her PDC, Level 1, and Level 2 titles with her personal dog, Willow. Rebecca was elected as Team Lead K9 Trainer for the Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit.
Rebecca is passionate about managing the BTS K9 Working Dog program and training standards. She specializes in scent work, protection, operational tactics, and behavioral training.
Matt Stuart
Expert Dog Trainer
U.S Air Force Veteran and Master Trainer. Matt has been training dogs for 9 years. He started off as a handler for the military and has undergone multiple deployments for the Secret Service and other missions involving detection work. After attending the Lackland AFB main training school, Matt was awarded the title Master Trainer which is a title only earned by 1% of military dog trainers.
Here at BTS K9, Matt is one of our lead decoys and enjoys working dogs in protection development, helping with our PSA (Protection Sports Association Club) and training dogs with behavioral problems.
Matt is most passionate about obedience work and controlled aggression. He loves to read the dogs and see things click as the dog moves through the training process.
Kait Lopez
Head Obedience Trainer
Kait graduated with degrees in Animal Science and Natural Resource Economics from Colorado State University. She ran her own pet care business for over 8 years and spends part of her time volunteering with wildlife. The Protection Sport Association was her introduction into the working dog world and earning her PDC with her Dutch Shepherd has made her a stronger and more innovative handler and trainer.
Kait attended NePoPoR New Silver School taught by Michael and Bart Bellon in 2024, followed by a New Gold School with Jason Loong in 2024 at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, and a second Gold School with Heather Lowell and Eloise Yeomans in 2025.
Kait thoroughly enjoys both learning and teaching. Her passion is in behavior modification and building confidence in dogs that need it. Her versatile experience in the animal world from both a practical and educational standpoint provides a unique edge in her approach to training sport dogs, working dogs, and pet dogs.
Andrea Hartsog
Expert Dog Trainer
Andrea has been working with animals for over 30 years. As a child she helped her father train horses and hunting dogs.
She has recently retired from Social Working and chosen a new career in dog training and animal care. In her spare time, she works with Rover clients and has a big heart for rescues. Her patients and kindness with animals carries into how well she cares for and trains all of our clients dogs.
Andrea is passionate about making sure the dogs in training are in a comfortable environment while having fun in their training programs.
Mike Rivell
Expert Dog Trainer
Mike discovered a passion for dog training over a year ago and has since dedicated himself to developing a deep understanding of canine behavior. He specializes in behavior modification and obedience, with a strong focus on providing dogs with the appropriate outlets based on their breed and individual temperament.
A graduate of the Principles of Modern Day Dog Training program, Mike continues to expand his knowledge through advanced seminars, including Deadpool Decoy.
Mike has lived with service dogs and rescues for most of his adult life. His experience extends beyond dogs, having raised and rehabilitated a wide range of animals—from farm livestock to exotic species.
Mike brings a lifelong passion for animals and providing the best training for clients dogs.