2015 – The Beginning of a Resilient Journey
In January 2015, ASP Inc. was awarded the prestigious GTAA contract for K9 services at Toronto Pearson International Airport—a monumental opportunity that marked the beginning of a journey defined by determination, grit, and growth. Alan Cakebread, appointed as the Manager of the new K9 Unit, took the lead in building something from the ground up.
The selection process was rigorous. Candidates underwent multiple interviews, culminating in final evaluations with Oren of ICTS—an industry pioneer and founder of both ICTS and Diagnose, globally respected for his deep expertise in K9 operations. From this process, five handlers were chosen to shape the foundation of the unit:What started as a challenge quickly became a calling— and over the next decade, it would define who we are.
- K9-1: Steve
- K9-2: Brad
- K9-3: Kevin
- K9-4: Isaiah
- K9-5: Bryden
Training began immediately. While we were all learning the ASP way, I was sent to the Canadian Police College for the Explosives Familiarization Course. Pulling up on the first day, I quickly realized I was the only civilian among a group of peace officers and bomb disposal technicians. The skepticism was palpable, and they saw a private K9 unit as unworthy of the work we were preparing for. But I didn’t back down—I showed up every day with focus and humility, breaking down walls slowly, earning respect the hard way. By the end of the week, I had passed all testing, including demolitions—proving that I belonged.
Back at home base, the anticipation was building. Our canines were on their way from France: five golden Labradors, four of them brothers—Jacky, Jahl, Johnny, and Josh. The fifth, Bakhi, was a seasoned dog with operational experience. Steve, already experienced in K9 work, was paired with Bakhi. The rest of us would be matched by drawing names from a hat, as the trainers didn’t yet know
- Bryden with Johnny
- Isaiah with Josh
- Kevin with Jahl
- Myself with Jacky
With our teams set, we embarked on an intensive 8-week basic handler course. Under the leadership of Alan and our primary trainer Don Missen—who many of you know from Transport Canada certifications—we trained alongside Master Trainers Hans and Patrick from Diagnose. Each day brought new challenges. Due to resistance from the existing K9 teams at the airport, we were relocated to a private, closed-off training site. Reaching that location was a challenge in itself: we had to load kennels, water jugs, and equipment onto baggage carts and navigate the airport’s link train system—five dogs in tow—while maintaining professionalism and discipline in a public space.
Despite our dedication, challenges emerged. With only weeks left before our May 1st launch date, three dogs— Bakhi, Jacky, and Johnny—were deemed unfit to continue. Bryden, too, was removed from the unit for not meeting the required standards. It was a tough blow, but setbacks didn’t stop us. Instead, they became fuel.
Steve and I were issued two new dogs—Boetti, a Belgian Shepherd and Billi, a Czech Shepherd—both experienced and ready to work. We pushed forward, trained harder, and refused to let anything derail our goal. Steve and I passed our validations. Isaiah and Kevin continued progressing with their canine partners.
On May 1st, 2015, our K9 Unit officially went live at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
I remember walking into the K9 Office that morning with a powerful mix of pride and anticipation. I took Billi out for a walk, feeling the full weight and significance of the day. At 0600 hours, we stepped into the terminals for our very first patrol—resilient, tested, and ready. I was assigned to Terminal 3, with Alan by my side. As we made our way through the concourse, we crossed paths with the GTAA Terminal Manager. Alan introduced us, and just as I shook her hand, I noticed her glance shift to Billi—who, at that very moment, dropped into a perfect squat and began defecating on the terminal floor.
It wasn’t exactly the strong first impression I had hoped for. I quickly apologized, handed the leash to Alan, and cleaned up the mess. At the time, I was mortified. But a decade later, it’s a story that brings a smile—a humble reminder that even on milestone days, things don’t always go to plan. And in those moments, resilience truly shows its value.
Our momentum continued to build. Isaiah and Kevin joined us on the floor, bringing strength and continuity to the team. Soon after, we welcomed our fifth handler, Emily Sutherland. She began her 8-week basic course alongside Dash, our first springer spaniel—another step in the evolution of our growing unit. What had begun as a challenge quickly became a mission—and we met it head-on.
