Star K9 Services was founded by Erskin D. Weir, a retired veteran of the US Army National Guard with 20 years of service. He has over 30 years of experience in dog training, which began in his birthplace, Barbados. As a young boy, Erskin's passion for training dogs was recognized by his family and friends as he engaged with their dogs.

 

After moving to the United States with his family, Erskin had the opportunity to pursue his passion for dog training further. He received advice and training techniques from members of K9 units serving in the US military. In 2005, he began official canine training in Peru, Indiana, with law enforcement K9 officers at Vonliche Kennels Training Academy. He continued his education at Hill Country Training Academy and refreshed his skills with Global Training Academy.

 

Following his training as a K9 handler, Erskin worked for the Department of Defense and the Department of State as an Explosive Detection Dog Handler at the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. He also trained in Afghanistan, Qatar, and Indonesia on the island of West Papua.

 

Recognizing the need to assist veterans with service dogs, Erskin provided support to a family in Copperas Cove, Texas, that required an allergen detection dog. Such dogs can be very expensive, often costing between $20,000 and $30,000. However, Erskin trained their dog for a fraction of the cost and was more than happy to do so. That dog continues to serve the family as a service dog for a student in the Copperas Cove Independent School District.

 

Erskin has a strong belief in God, and he often notes that the word "dog" spelled backward is "God." Working with dogs helps him maintain his focus on his faith. His unique approach to dog training allows him to see things differently, and he is known for saying, “There’s a method to the madness” and “Let’s have fun training.”