Nino Islamcevic, owner and training director at K9 Academy International, came to the United States from Croatia in 1997.  He has been  professionally training dogs for over twenty years in several disciplines, including obedience, tracking, protection, behavior modification, problem solving, Schutzhund, assistance/service dogs, police K-9s, specific odor scenting, and personal protection.

Nino has earned the titles of IPO/Schutzhund Judge, Training Director, IPO/Schutzhund Helper/Decoy, and certifications for instructing private and group classes, and training assistance/service dogs. Nino is also an established breeder and involved in socializing, raising puppies, conformation shows to CAC (National) and CACIB (International) Titles.

In Shutzhund, Nino won a National Championship in IPO1 in Croatia, and was twice selected for the Croatian Team for World Championships. On the Croatian team, with his dog, Aga, he participated in the World Championship in IPO III in Luxembourg in 1996.  Nino was also the team captain for the AWDF USA Team in the IPO World Championship for utility dogs in 2001.

Nino has trained many assistance/service dogs, often to perform complicated and unusual tasks. One of the most remarkable dogs trained by Nino, a Golden Retriever, was trained to respond to a Liberator, which is a computer based communicating device, for a person in an electric-powered wheelchair. This dog is now working in the real life situations, performing well over forty commands, and helping to overcome everyday challenges in new situations.

Nino also trains police dogs for dual purpose, narcotics, specific odor scenting, building search, full suit biting, real life situations and fights, tracking, etc.  He also temperament tests and places dogs to serve and protect throughout the United States.

Including all of the afore-mentioned disciplines, Nino has trained close to 2,000 dogs.