From Bed Bugs to Broadway: Emilee Minnick’s Incredible Journey with Her Dogs

Alumna Emilee Johnson Minnick ’12 has an unexpected secret to her access to NBA facilities, March Madness games, and even the Broadway smash hit Hamilton – her dogs. As the owner of Envision K9, a pet dog training business, Emilee has built a career around her passion for working dogs. She owns and has trained two of her own dogs, each with unique skills: one retired dog who specialized in bed bug detection, and a current working dog who is a nationally certified explosives detection dog.

Emilee’s journey into the world of dog training began while she was completing her Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska Omaha. After graduation, she dove headfirst into full-time dog training, eager to expand her knowledge and expertise. As she gained experience, she developed a growing interest in training dogs to use their natural abilities in real-world applications.

“Detection comes naturally to many dogs,” Emilee says, which sparked her curiosity to learn more about the field. She began attending every seminar she could find, immersing herself in the science and art of dog training. A year later, Emilee certified her first detection dog, Maizey, who specialized in bed bug detection. From there, she shifted her focus to explosives detection, and since 2021, she has certified three working dogs.

In addition to training working dogs, Emilee has also raised and sold puppies destined for future service. Her most recent puppy was sold to the United States Capitol Police, where it now serves as an explosives detection dog.

For Emilee, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing her dogs excel at what they were bred to do. She is particularly fascinated by the process of teaching a dog to use its sense of smell to detect specific odors. With Buzz, her explosives detection dog, Emilee has traveled the U.S., even heading to Puerto Rico for special assignments, helping to keep major events safe and secure.

Through it all, Emilee credits Skutt Catholic for providing the foundation and skills that have helped her succeed. She believes Skutt Catholic instilled in her a strong sense of justice and a drive to always fight for the greater good. The lessons she learned about dedication and hard work have been invaluable.

Whether she’s training dogs or handling a certified detection team at a high-profile event, Emilee’s passion for working dogs—and the impact they have in the world—continues to drive her forward.

by Laura Larson ’01, Director of Alumni Relations