TJ Connellan is a Senior Flight Paramedic for the State of New Jersey’s Medevac program with over 25 years of dedicated service in the pre-hospital and healthcare industry. TJ’s background is in EMS Education and Operations, Flight Medicine, EMS Supervision, 911 Public Safety Telecommuniations, Social Media Marketing, Public Outreach initiatives, Law Enforcement, and Emergency Management.
As a strong advocate for healthcare services, TJ is credentialed as a Certified Public Manager (CPM) and is an active member of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers. Her commitment to the professional development and leadership in the pre-hospital healthcare field for all providers in the State of New Jersey has led TJ to develop the first in New Jersey multi discipline, multi agency, and fully operational Advanced Life Support K9 Medevac program, the “K9 Kona Medevac Program” TJ also holds credentialing in K9 TECC and K9 ALS instructorships.

Courtney is currently a Senior at the University of Alabama, majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Health Professions and a Minor in Psychology.  Courtney will be pursuing her credentialing as a CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) within the next few months to follow her passion for education and training and giving back to her community.

Nicholas Pietro has over a decade of experience in EMS and critical care. He began his career in critical care transport at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Pediatric Transport Team, providing advanced care to neonatal and pediatric patients on the ground and in the air. Nicholas now currently works as a Flight Paramedic with RWJBarnabas Health Life Flight and as a Registered Nurse in a CVICU.  These experiences across ground, air, and hospital-based critical care drives his commitment to delivering exceptional K9 medical training founded on real-world expertise and evidence-based practice.

Dave Conway has been working in Veterinary Medicine for nearly 2 decades. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and started working for his neighborhood veterinarian to build experience and develop his skills as a teenager. Following his undergraduate education at Miami University he attended veterinary school at The Ohio State University, where he made the decision to pursue specialization in Emergency and Critical Care. He completed a 1-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Michigan State University and then a 3-year residency in Emergency and Critical Care at Tufts University.

Dave has been a board-certified Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care since 2022 and works as a staff Critical Care specialist and Associate Medical Director at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Red Bank, NJ. Dave is passionate about trauma medicine, infectious disease, transfusion medicine, and greyhound medicine. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and son and their 2 pet retired racing greyhounds Goose and Jill. 

Anna is a a career small animal emergency veterinarian with over 20 years experience and has worked in the emergency veterinary world for over 30 years, starting at a local vet hospital when she was 14. She attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergraduate studies while working as a veterinary technician at UPENN’s small animal veterinary emergency service and then graduated from UPENN’s veterinary school in 2005, during which time she volunteered working with the SAR dog program.

Anna went on to work in a tertiary level referral hospital’s emergency room outside Philadelphia for 13 years and feels she had the luck and honor of being mentored extensively by 4 boarded criticalists. Dr. Massey has been at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital since 2017 when she moved to New Jersey, and has been Director of the Emergency and Critical Care service since 2022 and more recently also one of their associate medical directors.

Dr. Anna maintains Red Bank’s Certifications in the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society and their status as a veterinary trauma center (VetCOT Level II). She is certified in RECOVER CPR and passionate about resuscitation medicine and trauma as well as care of working dogs of any kind.

Dr. Massey lives in Little Silver with her husband and their blended family of 5 children and their mini-pig, 3 cats, and 3 dogs, two of which are medical release Guiding Eyes labradors. When she is not on the ER floor or administrating she likes to run, surf and blog (theblendedvet.com)

Dr. Hart is a Graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine 

Dr. Hart brings with him a weath of experience as a compassionate veterinarian with emergency, surgical and general practice skills. 

Dr. Hart is the Primary Care Physician to the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Transit, NY/NJ Port Authority Police, Newark FBI, Customs and Border Patrol, United States Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration, and various other local and regional K-9 units, often offering training on First Aid for new handlers

Dr. Hart also serves as the Field Veterinarian for the National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF) K-9 Maritime Security Program and Field Veterinarian for 2023 United States Police Canine Association Detector Dog Nationals.  If you watch Channel 12 news, you may have actually seen Dr. Hart as a Guest veterinarian on the News 12 Pet Stop 

Michael is a licensed and certified veterinary technician with more than twenty years of experience in veterinary medicine. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Capella University in 2019 and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Delaware Valley University in 2005. Following his undergraduate studies, Michael spent a decade in public safety with the county sheriff’s office and is a graduate of all three emergency responder academies—police, fire, and EMS—before returning to his lifelong passion for veterinary medicine.

Currently, Michael serves as the Northeast Regional Sales Manager for 2020 Imaging, a Division of Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, where he oversees business growth and client relations across the Northeast region. His previous roles include Territory Manager positions with both Patterson Veterinary and Wedgewood Pharmacy. Earlier in his career, he worked as a nursing supervisor in a multi-doctor veterinary practice in New Jersey, where he developed a deep appreciation for the clinical and leadership aspects of veterinary nursing.

In addition to his corporate role, Michael has taught at multiple academic levels, specializing in anatomy, physiology, and business. He has contributed to the design and delivery of CPR and advanced care programs for first responder canines, emphasizing the connection between public safety and animal health.

Michael currently serves as President of the New Jersey Veterinary Technicians and Assistants Association (NJVTA) and has previously held positions with the national association, where he continues to advocate for the advancement, recognition, and professional development of veterinary nurses and assistants.

Lead Instructor James Regan has been in emergency services since 1999. Starting as a volunteer firefighter, he quickly advanced his career in fire, EMS, and rescue. After becoming a paramedic in 2006 and a nurse in 2010, he has never fully stepped away from pre-hospital care. He has obtained numerous certifications in rescue and specialty care nursing. Today, James is a full-time Flight Nurse in New Jersey and serves as a Rescue Specialist in the FEMA National Response System.

Outside of his full-time duties, James trains, educates, and promotes safety and rope rescue techniques around the country. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, three boys, and his German Shepherd Simcoe. He has a deep passion for the AMU K9 Training program and hopes is looking forward providing the same level of care for our K9 partners as we do for their officer handlers. 

With over 30 years of experience in EMS and Emergency Services, Vincent brings extensive field expertise to the realm of K9 emergency care. His career spans service as a Flight Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, and SWAT/TEMS Medic, operating in high-risk and remote environments across a variety of mission profiles.

Vincent’s dedication to K9 emergency medicine began in 2012, when he trained at the K9 Down Advanced program at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. This formative experience ignited a lasting commitment to improving the care of working dogs in prehospital and tactical settings.

In addition to his K9 focus, Vincent has extensive experience in disaster preparedness and terrorism consequence management, as well as certifications in wilderness medicine and advanced dive medical support. His clinical interests include prehospital trauma care, K9 care, hyperbaric medicine, tactical medicine, and wilderness/travel medicine.

Vincent’s mission is to ensure that K9 handlers and emergency responders are equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to provide critical care when every second counts, whether for human or canine teammates.

With over 27 years of distinguished service in law enforcement, Theodore J. Kucowski brings unparalleled experience in tactical operations, investigations, and high-level security services. A retired Police Detective Sergeant and accomplished sniper instructor, Mr. Kucowski has spent nearly two decades serving as a SWAT operator and sniper, completing over 475 sniper deployments and 300 SWAT operations during his career.

He is the founder and CEO of Detection Canine Services LLC, a New Jersey-based company specializing in narcotics and explosives detection, as well as executive protection services. Under his leadership, the company delivers high-performance K9 teams that meet Department of Defense and American Working Dog certifications, supporting public safety agencies, private clients, and critical infrastructure events, including security operations for POTUS appearances.

Mr. Kucowski’s expertise extends across a broad spectrum of tactical and operational disciplines, including dignitary protection, counterterrorism, intelligence gathering, crisis response, and firearms instruction. He served as a guest instructor at the FBI New York Office Sniper School for six years and led sniper training for multiple law enforcement and military programs across the country.

Throughout his law enforcement tenure, he held key leadership roles including Platoon Leader and Sniper Coordinator for the Ocean County Regional SWAT team and Detective Sergeant for the Jackson Police Department, where he supervised the Special Enforcement Unit and Firearms Training Unit. His operational experience includes undercover work, major crimes investigations, and organized crime enforcement.

Mr. Kucowski holds a Master of Administrative Science and a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he graduated with honors. He also holds numerous certifications in executive protection, advanced investigative techniques, tactical operations, and canine detection.

Mr. Kucowski continues to consult and train law enforcement, military, and private sector organizations in advanced tactical skills, detection operations, and executive protection strategies.

‍ ‍Emmett Idzahl joins AMU K9 as a dedicated, highly motivated professional with over two decades of law enforcement experience, specializing in K9 handling and instruction. Known for his integrity, resourcefulness, and results-driven approach, Emmett has consistently demonstrated a commitment to public safety and community engagement.

As a Police Officer with the Wall Township Police Department from 2003 to 2025, Emmett excelled at fostering strong community relations and K9 training and Instruction. 

A recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, K9 Citation Award, and 200 Club Merit Award, Emmett's accomplishments reflect his dedication to not just the K9 Division of the WTPD but his community as a whole. Beyond his professional achievements, he has also contributed as a Project Manager for the Wall Police K9 Memorial.  Emmett holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Caldwell University and is passionate about leveraging his skills to drive growth, efficiency, and service value in every endeavor.

In his personal life, Emmett and his Wife, Megan, have a wonderful family of 6 Children and 4 Pups.  

Mark Stanish was an Officer with the Long Beach Township Police Department in Ocean County for 25 years until he retired in May of 2024. He served as a Field Training Officer, Radar Instructor, Rifle Operator, Academy Instructor as well as Internationally Certified Police Mountain Bike Instructor where he trained officers from around the world in Patrol Bicycle Tactics. He was also a Resiliency Police Officer for his department and still fills that role in retirement through his current employment with the Special Offenders Unit of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.

In his role at SOU, he works with both the Mental Health Diversion and Veterans Diversion Programs and at the Prosecutors Law Enforcement Wellness Center as well as participating in Community Outreach run by the Unit. He is a Master Resiliency Trainer, Crisis Intervention Training instructor and carries a certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counselling. He is trained in Psychological First Aid, Mental Health First Aid(Law Enforcement, Military and Youth), Critical Incident Stress Management (Group and Individual Intervention), is a Police Training Commission Certified Peer Mentor and carries a certificate in Lifestyle and Wellness Coaching from Harvard Medical School. While with the Special Offenders Unit, Mark has attended multiple Suicide Intervention trainings such as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Question- Persuade- Refer (QPR)and is a Nationally Certified Instructor of SAFLEO, the National Suicide Awareness for Law Enforcement Officers Program, a US Department of Justice initiative. He also sits on the Ocean County Health Departments Suicide Mortality Review Committee.

Along with being a part of the unit, Mark and his K9 partner Jager are also a Crisis Response team for Crisis Response Canines, a nationwide canine crisis response group based out of Sicklerville, NJ. The certified teams provide Animal-Assisted Workplace Well-being, Animal-Assisted Therapy and Animal-Assisted Crisis Response on a local and National level. Jager is an AKC registered, dual-certified Therapy Dog through the United States Police Canine Association and Alliance of Therapy Dogs. He is also certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen, AKC Community Canine, AKC Urban Canine Good Citizen and has passed the AKC Temperament Testing. As a team they have responded to multiple mass casualty events including the 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston, ME and the shooting of 8 police Officers with 4 fatalities in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2024.

Mark and Jager are also Lead Responders for the States Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC). TLC members respond whenever a student or staff member of a NJ school dies by homicide, suicide, accident or illness, providing comfort and support for students, staff and the community.

They have presented on the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Crisis Response to various universities, high schools and police departments across the State. Jager is also the school Therapy dog at Barnegat High School in Barnegat, NJ.

At home, Mark is married to his wife of 25 years, Danielle, and has daughters Gabrielle(Dugan) 25, and Torre, 23 as well has family pets Panda (French Bulldog), Nitro (American Staffordshire Terrier), Jager (Boerboel) and cats Roxy and Sushi.

Ron Hill joins the AMU K9 Team as a seasoned emergency services professional with over 30 years of experience in public safety. He has served as an EMT since 1995 and a firefighter since 1996, dedicating his career to protecting and serving his community.

In 2009, Ron expanded his expertise as a Tactical Medic, providing advanced medical support in high-risk environments. He currently serves as the Special Operations Team Leader and Assistant Team Leader for the TEMS Team in Ocean County. In addition to these roles, Ron contributes his leadership as a Deputy EMS Coordinator.

A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Ron brings discipline, leadership, and tactical proficiency to every mission. Over the past 15 years, he has also served as a multi-discipline instructor, teaching courses in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), Active Shooter Response for Rescue Task Force (RTF), and All Hazards and Safety.

Passionate about mentoring others, Ron is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and experience to train the next generation of first responders.

Mathew T. Giachetti established LifeForce USA, Inc. in 1995 with a dedicated mission to educate the public on safety and crisis response. Under his leadership, LifeForce USA has become a prominent multi-region Community Training Center for the American Heart Association, a National Training Center for the American Health & Safety Institute, a Licensed Training Provider for the American Red Cross, and a Public Training Agency for the National Safety Council. The organization specializes in delivering high-quality training across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

Mathew's extensive credentials in health and safety include: CPR and First Aid Instructor Trainer, Emergency Medical Responder Instructor Trainer, Bloodborne Pathogens and Oxygen Administration Instructor Trainer, Regional Faculty and ECC Committee Member for the American Heart Association, Member of the HSI Emergency Care Advisory Council, NAEMT Instructor for PHTLS (Affiliate Faculty), TECC (Affiliate Faculty), ADHR, EMS Safety, MHRO, and PTEP, Certified EMT in New Jersey, Safety Specialist for the NJ EMS Task Force, Active Shooter RTF Rescue Medic for Southern Monmouth County, Tactical Medicine Instructor, NAEMT Mental Health Resilience Officer (MHRO)

Matt was awarded the First Responder of the Year by Manasquan VFW (2019-2020)

Mathew currently serves as an instructor for various organizations, including the American Heart Association, Health & Safety Institute, and the American Red Cross, sharing his expertise and commitment to saving lives.

In addition to his health and safety qualifications, Mathew is also certified in water rescue, holding credentials as an ARC Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor, a USLA Open Water Lifeguard, and a PADI Rescue Diver.

Through LifeForce USA, and now AMU K9 Training, Mathew continues to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively in emergencies.

Instructor Jim Busch as been a licensed paramedic, having over 25 years of experience in Pre-Hospital Healthcare. Jim has continued to expand his knowledge achieving and maintaining his FP-C (Flight Paramedic Certification) over 12 years ago. Jim has instructed all phases of the Paramedic student process from initial application review to NRP board review and final testing. Jim considers the highlight of his career when he was named Paramedic provider of the year in 2006 for outstanding dedication to patient care and education. Jim is passionate about the team effort in providing all care necessary for the best outcomes for all patients.  Instructor Busch has two rescue pups named Bear and Buck who are quite the handful so learning how to care for them in an emergency has been a blessing. Instructor Busch has said he is looking forward to passing on all my acquired knowledge to help others care for man’s best friend .

Sarah is currently a Flight Paramedic for RWJBH’s LifeFlight with 20 years as a Paramedic and 10 years in HEMS. Sarah has extensive experience & training in Firefighting / EMS, TECC / RAMS, ATLS, Critical Care & Community Paramedicine. Instructor Sabella-Corson is currently a PA EMS Instructor & NAEMSE-1 with 15 years of teaching EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement. In her personal life, Sarah is a LEO wife and mom to 6 humans and 2 German Shepherds.

Denise is a Paramedic for the largest hospital system in New Jersey with over 23 years of experience. Denise served as a Flight Paramedic for MONOC One in Ocean County, NJ from 2009 to 2014. Instructor Zimmerman-Nourie has 3 adult sons who live all over the world.  Her family, including her fur babies are her most invaluable treasures. Denise has rescued multiple dogs, including her best girl, Lola who is an 11 year old Chocolate Lab/American Pit Bull mix. 

Denise’s lifelong love of dogs, and passion for emergency medicine, have made her a tremendous asset to the AMU K9 Team.

AMU K9 Training Instructor Michelle Idler has been a Paramedic since 2010, joining the JEMSTAR Flight Team in 2020, Michelle is also a Critical Care Nurse. Outside of work, Michelle is an avid outdoorswoman and is passionate about spending time in the mountains. She loves spending time with her two furry best friends, Bosley and Blaze.

Grace Zelekovic is a flight nurse with New Jersey’s State Medevac program, JEMSTAR. She began her EMS career nearly 30 years ago as a volunteer EMT, then advanced to paramedic and later nurse. Grace joined the flight team in 2019 following a multifaceted tenured career at University Hospital, where she specialized in emergency and critical care transport.

Drawing on her extensive clinical experience and lifelong passion for animals, Grace brings a unique perspective to the AMU K9 team, K9 trauma, and advanced field care. When not teaching or flying, she spends her time with her two Thoroughbreds, Percy and Jackson, along with her four dogs and two parakeets.

Thomas J. Gironda, Esq. is experienced corporate counsel with a history of supporting and advising both public and private companies in a variety of areas. Thomas's practice largely consists of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and private equity, securities work, and commercial transactions.

Thomas attended Clemson University (2015) where he graduated with honors with a degree in Sports Management. He proceeded to attend Wake Forest University School of Law (2019), where he graduated with his Juris Doctor. He returned to New Jersey, where he clerked for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division. Thomas presently practices at a boutique firm in Wall, New Jersey. Prior to joining his current firm, Thomas practiced at an AmLaw national firm and a regional tri-state area firm.

In his free time, Thomas has four rescue doodles and is currently fostering a fifth. He is passionate about environmental protection and sustainability, as well as animal welfare.