Meet Our Team of Experts
Dr. Alison Gai Simon
INSTRUCTORAlison is a Subject Matter Expert that contracts with federal explosives detection canine teams and universities to advise on chemistry of explosives and canine training aids. She provides support for test development and design, data interpretation, odor availability, volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis, standard operating procedure (SOP) development, contamination prevention, and training aid integrity preservation. She has contracted with TSA and FBI for work on targets such as TATP, fentanyl, and biological materials. Alison has over 20 peer reviewed publications in the field of canine detection.
Before contracting, she held a post-doctoral position at the Naval Research Laboratory investigating drug and explosive volatile components for application in canine training. Alison has also researched invasive species, human scent, and electronics for canine detection.
Alison holds a PhD in Chemistry from Florida International University (FIU), a Masters in Forensic Science from FIU, a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Texas Christian University (TCU), and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from TCU.
Jakub Holmes
INSTRUCTORJakub Holmes brings over 20 years of experience in canine operations, training, and program leadership. He began his career in 2005 as a Military Working Dog Handler in the United States Marine Corps, deploying twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and gaining extensive expertise in patrol, detection, and tracking canines. In 2009, Jakub became a certified instructor at the Military Working Dog Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, where he trained future handlers in advanced canine handling techniques. After transitioning from the Marine Corps in 2015, Jakub joined the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as a Canine Training Instructor at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, providing guidance to canine teams and airport leadership. In 2020, he advanced to TSA’s Office of Requirements and Capabilities Analysis, serving as a Project Manager and helping launch the Canine Capabilities Management Program while supporting research and development initiatives to strengthen canine operations nationwide. In addition to his civilian career, Jakub continued his military service with the Georgia Army National Guard, commissioning as an Infantry Officer in 2022 and serving as a Platoon Leader until 2025. Jakub now serves as the Associate Director of the National Detector Dog Training Center for the USDA where he is committed to advancing canine programs through training, innovation, and collaboration.
Joshua Araujo
INSTRUCTORJoshua Araujo is the first American-born member of his family, with roots tracing back to Brazil. A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, he served in a highly specialized capacity, training canines in off-leash explosive detection and advanced directional control via radios. His work centered on developing canines capable of operating independently in high-threat environments with precision, discipline, and resilience to auditory and visual stimuli. These capabilities were critical in preparing both U.S. and allied foreign military canine teams for global operational deployment.
Following his military service, Joshua continued his mission within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where he held multiple leadership roles. He played a key role in advancing the strategic deployment of canine units and contributed to high-level Research and Development initiatives focused on increasing operational effectiveness through science-driven training methodologies.
As Co-Founder of Paws & Footprints Training Academy, Joshua leads with an evidence-based approach that integrates psychological theory, behavioral science, and operational application. The academy specializes in explosive, narcotic, and human remains detection, and has trained military and law enforcement personnel from multiple countries, ensuring teams are equipped with both the scientific foundation and practical capability required for mission success.
The cornerstone of the academy’s mission is bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world performance. Joshua remains actively engaged in collaborative Research and Development with government and private-sector partners, applying emerging scientific findings directly to field-ready canine training protocols.
Leveraging his academic background in psychology and sociology, Joshua also directs one of the few specialized rehabilitation programs for working dogs. Designed for military and law enforcement K9s deemed too aggressive or unmanageable, the program applies advanced behavioral principles to restore these dogs to a deployable state. Agencies routinely turn to Paws & Footprints for canines others have written off with proven results.
Internationally, Joshua has trained Mexican and Colombian law enforcement units in both counter-narcotics, counter-explosives operations and human remains detection, and has delivered instruction in England and Mexico, presenting on canine capabilities before globally recognized scientists and practitioners.
Working alongside his human remains detection K9 partner, Rocko, Joshua has supported Texas law enforcement agencies in the successful resolution of numerous homicide and missing persons investigations. His field expertise has established him as a sought-after instructor, delivering training in human remains detection at both operational and academic levels to military and law enforcement agencies worldwide.
Through his work, Joshua continues to set the standard in the working dog community merging science, operational experience, and uncompromising execution in service of those who serve.
Hannah French
INSTRUCTORHannah French is a dedicated military veteran and professional K-9 trainer with a strong background in leadership, operational excellence, canine training, and working-dog behavior. Born and raised in Ohio, Hannah served seven years in the U.S. Army, beginning her career in an infantry unit before transitioning to become a Military Working Dog Handler.
As a Team Leader, Hannah not only worked and deployed with her own Military Working Dog, but also mentored fellow Soldiers and helped develop highly capable, mission-ready K-9 teams. Her experience as both a handler and leader provided her with a strong foundation in operational K-9 employment, team development, and the practical application of canine capabilities in demanding environments.
During her military service, Hannah deployed to Iraq and Syria in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where she conducted Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection operations alongside U.S. and allied forces. Her operational experience contributed to critical security and counter-terrorism efforts while providing her with firsthand knowledge of the challenges associated with deploying and maintaining effective working-dog teams in complex operational environments.
Following her military career, Hannah continued her passion for working dogs in the private sector. She relocated to Texas to serve as a trainer with Paws & Footprints Training Academy, where she continues to refine her expertise in canine training, behavior, and operational application.
As part of the Paws & Footprints team, Hannah contributes to the development and training of working and companion canines across a variety of disciplines. Her areas of expertise include canine detection, explosive detection, odor recognition and discrimination, operational K-9 deployment, obedience, behavior modification, canine psychology, and the development of clear communication between canine and handler. She also assists in developing effective handler-dog teams through structured training designed to improve reliability, confidence, problem-solving, and operational readiness.
Hannah's approach to training is grounded in her operational experience and her understanding of canine behavior and learning theory. She believes in developing clear communication, building confidence, and creating canine teams that are capable of working through challenges rather than simply responding to rote patterns. Her experience as a Military Working Dog Handler and Team Leader allows her to bridge the gap between training environments and real-world operational demands.
Through her work with Paws & Footprints Training Academy, Hannah supports the company's mission of enhancing the relationship and communication between humans and canines while helping develop capable, confident, and reliable K-9 teams. Her unique combination of military experience, operational deployment, leadership, and professional canine training brings valuable perspective to the Academy's work with detection canines, working dogs, behavior modification, obedience, handler development, and K-9 team performance.
Kelly Van Arsdale
INSTRUCTORKelly Van Arsdale is a recently retired federal agent with over 28 years of law enforcements experience. She was a certified bomb technician for over 18 years and an explosives and hazardous device examiner for the FBI Laboratory Explosives Unit for almost 13 of those where she conducted forensic operations and training missions in the U.S and overseas. For over 24 of those years, she worked with explosives detection K9s. She was the Program Manager for the FBI’s Improvised Explosives K9 Program and creator of the FBI’s Improvised Explosives and IED course for K9 handlers, designing this innovative course for K9 handlers and their furmissile partners to understand explosives and bombs, the differences in types of explosives and IEDs, current threats and bombing trends, and the capabilities and realities of post blast detection training.
Kelly also has experience working with human scent detection K9s and has conducted some research for electronics detection K9s.
Even in retirement, she continues to support and enhance the K9 community with her knowledge, backgound, and expertise in explosives and IEDs by providing state, local, federal, and military K9 teams traning and handler education. Her active engagment in research and studies maintains her relationships with teams she has worked with throughout the years and has been a contributor/co-author of 6 K9 explosives research papers.
Kelly is a part time instructor with Auburn University’s Canine Performance Sciences Program and an independent advisor for a number of other ongoing projects and studies.
Kelly’s day-to-day home life in Virginia keeps her bust with her own “kennel”. with 4 dogs of her own, including a retired explosives k9, 2 Airedales, and an 18 year old terrier, 7 indoor bunnies, and 2 kids, she is a full time mom, aka “Bomb Mom”, loving wife of full time + working hubby, home fixer-upper/breaker, runner, car girl, and a volunteer “furmom” at a local wildlife rehab facility.