About Us
Justine Borghello
Owner/Lead Trainer
ABCSDT, CTDI, CCFC, AACE, PCKA
Certifications/Awards:
Certified Service Dog Trainer- Animal Behavior College
Certified Trick Dog Instructor- Do More With Your Dog
Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach- Do More With Your Dog
Animal Actors Certified Evaluator- Do More With Your Dog
Herm Sprenger Prong Collar- Knowledge Assessed.
CGC/Trick Dog Evaluator- AKC
Temperament Test Evaluator- AKC
FETCH Judge- AKC
Fit Dog Judge- AKC
SPOT Evaluator- UKC
Dog Training Mentor- Animal Behavior College
K9 CPR & First Aid Certified- Team Dog Training
Events Committee Chair- Greater Columbia Obedience Club
Obedience Training Committee Member- Greater Columbia Obedience Club 2024
Training Instructor- Greater Columbia Obedience Club
Board Member at Large- Greater Columbia Obedience Club 2025
Instructor of the Year 2024- Greater Columbia Obedience Club
AKC Canine Ambassador
Memberships:
International Association of Canine Professionals
American Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
North American Diving Dogs
DockDogs Worldwide
Trikos Team Dog Training
Barn Hunt Association
Greater Columbia Obedience Club
Charlotte Dog Training Club
Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
Grisha Stewart Academy
Deplorables K9 Club
Hi, I’m Justine — the founder of Smokey Oaks K9 and a lifelong dog lover with a passion for helping people build better relationships with their dogs. My journey into dog training started early. My dad was a police K9 handler, and I was always fascinated by the connection he shared with his partner, Shadow. That bond sparked something in me that never faded.
When I was 18, I adopted Hank, a dog with serious behavioral challenges. Every trainer I worked with told me what to do, but no one explained why it worked — and that inspired me to dive into dog behavior on my own. Hank changed the course of my life, and he’s the reason I do what I do today.
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Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of species — from dogs and cats to primates and wildlife. I spent nearly a decade as a veterinary technician, including six years at UC Davis working in primate medicine. But no matter how far I strayed, I always found myself coming back to dog training.
I began training professionally in 2015, leaving a stable university position to follow my passion. I joined a nonprofit that provided PTSD service dogs for veterans, eventually becoming their Chief of Operations — one of the most meaningful roles I've ever held. After that chapter, I continued growing as a trainer with Unleash the Beast, where I focused on behavior modification and aggression cases.
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In 2020, my husband and I launched Smokey Oaks K9 after our move from California to South Carolina. It’s been a dream come true to build a business rooted in education, trust, and connection. I’m committed to continuing my own learning through seminars, courses, and hands-on work. In my spare time, I enjoy training and competing with my own dogs in various dog sports and events.
Christian Frey
Trainer/Certified Decoy
Certifications/Awards:
United States Navy Veteran
Bachelor of Science- Psychology
Certified LEO Decoy- Top Dog Police K9
Field Medical Service School- US Navy
CGC/Trick Dog Evaluator- AKC
Hi, I’m Christian, and my path to dog training has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to service — both human and canine. I began my career as a Senior Company-level Navy Corpsman with the 1st Marine Division during the invasion of Iraq. After active duty, I continued to serve by providing medical care to San Diego’s ROTC units.
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Driven to do more, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which eventually led me back to Iraq as a civilian, working with an NGO as Chief Medical Officer, serving refugees displaced by the conflict in Mosul.
When I returned home, I discovered the world of service dog training, after being matched with my own service dog, Chuy. I started out as a kennel technician and quickly advanced to trainer, then Service Dog Coordinator. It was a role that allowed me to combine my background in psychology, medicine, and military service to help both dogs and people in life-changing ways.
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Since moving to South Carolina with Justine, I’ve focused on furthering my education and broadening my skill set in both working K9s and pet dog training. Together, we founded Smokey Oaks K9 to provide a high standard of care and training — and to give back to the working dogs who’ve given so much. We’re honored to provide retirement and rehoming support for the York County Sheriff’s Department K9s, placing them in loving homes across the U.S.
I have a strong passion for scent detection and working dogs, and I make it a priority to attend annual seminars and training events to stay sharp and keep learning. Whether I’m working with a family dog or a high-drive K9, I’m committed to helping each dog reach their full potential.