UK9BG Club Member Spotlight: Kevin Davies

Kevin’s journey in PSA began in 2021 when his wife, Braylyn, and their dog, Emmitt, started training with Stan in PPD (Personal Protection Dog) classes. Witnessing the teamwork and camaraderie within the sport, Kevin became fascinated by the discipline and commitment it required. His curiosity grew into a passion when, in 2022, he joined UK9BG as the club’s photographer and videographer, capturing the power, precision, and athleticism of the dogs and handlers. The experience inspired him to launch Northern K9 Photography, a business dedicated to showcasing the beauty and intensity of canine sports through photography and videography.

Determined to immerse himself further, Kevin decided to take an active role in PSA beyond the lens. He began training as a club decoy, where he quickly discovered a new passion for the art of decoying. As he worked on developing the physical skills and mental sharpness required to test dogs in protection scenarios, Kevin also decided to step into the handler role. He acquired a puppy, Leeroy, from a carefully selected pairing of two club dogs, Magnum and Lace, and committed to training him for competition.

With the guidance of his mentor and friend, Shaun Thankachen, Kevin pushed himself to grow as both a handler and decoy. His hard work paid off in 2024 when he earned his PSA trial decoy certification—a significant milestone that cemented his role in the sport. Kevin continues to refine his craft by attending seminars led by some of the top experts in PSA and working with a variety of dogs to improve his ability to test them and build them effectively.

As a trial decoy, Kevin takes great pride in creating challenges that showcase the skill and resilience of both dogs and handlers. He looks forward to contributing to the sport by decoying at numerous events in 2025 while continuing to deepen his expertise as a training decoy, focusing on foundational work. In addition to his decoying efforts, Kevin plays a vital role in his and Braylyn’s business, Concise K9. Meanwhile, he is dedicated to preparing Leeroy to earn the PDC (Protection Dog Certificate) and PSA1 titles this year, prioritizing a strong partnership and consistent performance on the trial field.

Kevin’s success would not be possible without the unwavering support of his wife, Braylyn, who has been instrumental in training Leeroy and helping him succeed. He is also deeply appreciative and thankful for the Thankachen family and all the members of UK9BG, whose guidance, honest feedback, and friendships have helped him grow in every aspect of PSA. Kevin’s journey is a testament to his hard work, passion, and the importance of a strong support system, and he looks forward to continuing to grow as a decoy, handler, and member of the PSA community.