T. J. San Miguel
Associate Trainer
FOrmer Seattle PD K-9 Officer
A Little About TJ:
- TJ has been involved in dog training since 2008
- she began decoying for the Seattle Police Department K-9 Unit in the early years of her 15-year law enforcement career.
- She was selected for the K-9 Unit in 2016, & was eventually partnered with K-9 Pele. The team went on to be one of the most successful teams in recent years. Winning multiple performance-related awards within the K-9 Unit, the team’s biggest success was in being involved in over 100 suspect apprehensions and arrests in four years.
- TJ was an assistant Unit Trainer for her SPD K-9 squad and completed an instructor development course at the state level.
- In 2020, K-9 Pele retired early as TJ left Seattle PD for a local Snohomish County police department.
- TJ attended over 10 Washington State Police Canine Association (WSPCA) conferences as both a decoy and handler, including an advanced seminar for SWAT-ready K-9 teams.
- TJ was selected by WSPCA to begin the process of becoming a certified trainer and will continue this process in her new department.
- A fun fact, in early 2020 TJ and Pele competed on the first season of A&E’s "America’s Top Dog" and had a blast!
- TJ has been mentored by John Sparks since 2016 and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to expand her knowledge in dog training alongside John and Sparks K-9.
