Certified
Deployment
Teams

Lolita Shaffer is the founder and CEO of K9 Water Leak Detection, bringing over 40 years of dog training expertise and a passion for service. Combining her background in canine training with her husband’s 40+ years in water infrastructure, Lolita created the nation’s first program dedicated to training and certifying K9-handler teams to detect underground water leaks. Her mission is to establish a federally recognized certification standard, helping communities conserve water, protect infrastructure, and prepare the next generation of canine teams for deployment.

Elisa Jones is the Education Director and Co-Founder of K9 Water Leak Detection University, where she leads the development of curriculum, training standards, and certification pathways for canine-handler teams. With a strong background in education, program design, and training leadership, Elisa ensures that every student receives the highest quality instruction—blending classroom knowledge with hands-on field experience. Her vision is to create an educational framework that not only produces highly skilled detection teams but also sets the stage for federal recognition of canine water leak detection certification. Elisa’s leadership is central to building a program that equips handlers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to serve communities and utilities across the country. Passionate about education, innovation, and service, Elisa plays a vital role in advancing the University’s mission to conserve water and protect infrastructure through certified canine teams.

Jennifer Shepherd brings a unique blend of technical expertise and canine field experience to K9 Water Leak Detection University. As co-owner and operator of K&J HVAC Services, Jennifer understands the importance of infrastructure, efficiency, and problem-solving in service industries. Her professional background gives her valuable insight into the real-world needs of utilities and communities. Beyond her business, Jennifer is deeply committed to service. She actively volunteers in search and rescue operations with her canine partner, demonstrating both skill and dedication in critical, real-world deployments. Her experience working with dogs in high-stakes environments enriches the University’s mission, reinforcing the reliability and readiness of certified canine teams. Jennifer’s combined expertise in business operations, technical service, and canine deployment makes her a vital contributor to advancing water conservation and strengthening community resilience.

Melissa “Sam” Copeland, Owner and Lead Handler at Go-Go Water Inspection, Canine Leak Detection LLC, brings over a decade of water utility experience alongside certified canine detection skills. A Grade 2 Tennessee-licensed Water Treatment Operator and Chief Operator at Surgoinsville Utility District, she completed handler training through K9 Water Leak Detection University in 2023 with her canine partner Gibbs. Recently, she showcased her expertise at the 2025 KY/TN Water Professionals Conference.

Dan Levey is the owner and lead handler of Nose On The Ground K9 Leak Detection, drawing on over 30 years of water main repair and installation expertise. A certified New York State water operator, Dan bridges utility operations with canine-powered leak detection training. His experience training Labradors for hunting paved the way to his current focus—working with his Black Labrador, Shadow, to detect underground water leaks with precision.