Fortified K-9 & Tennessee Blue Line Shepherds
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About the Handlers

Steve owns a family farm where the Fortified K9 Training Facility is located. Ramy is a pedigree expert and opened Tennessee Blue Line Shepherds.

Ramy does most of the research. He studies dogs from their competition results and genetic testing to identify the most ideal traits in order to breed and make the most effective puppies.

Steve and his family do much of the kenneling and rearing, and they both work extremely hard in training and behavior modification. Many of their dogs get purchased by the government due to their excellence in performance, one of their dogs even works at the United States Capitol!

What are service dogs?

Service dogs are dogs that have been individually trained to perform a specific task for individuals who have disabilities. The disabilities can vary greatly, and so do the tasks that the service dogs perform. Service dogs can aid in navigation for people who are hearing- and visually impaired, assist an individual who is having a seizure, calm an individual who suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Individuals can depend on them every day to help them live and enhance their everyday lives.

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Steve and Ramy want to share their talent with others. If they can change just one person's life, all the work is worth it.
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A therapy dog and a police dog share many of the same qualities— the dog must be well-mannered, brave, and possess unique environmental skills, not to mention an ability and desire to work. A litter of pups goes through extensive training, performance testing, and personality evaluation before assigned to the category where they will be most effective. Steve and Ramy’s primary focus is to produce trained working dogs that can be used for various security and detection jobs, but not all their pups get selected for that purpose. Even though many of the dogs have the same genetic makeup and the same training, not all dogs develop the same. The most important part between a protection dog and a therapy dog is their personality. Some dogs are natural fighters and have aggressive qualities which allows them to be excellent in the field. Other dogs have more gentle personalities that desire affection. Being proficient with so many skills and naturally more personable, these dogs meet the requirements to be certified service animals and put to work with handlers who need their skills. By the time the recipient takes their new friend from the facility, they will have everything they need to be allowed in all public spaces, airplanes, and housing. They will be recognized by NC as Professional Service Animals. And the dog and handler will be protected by ADA law.