Dog Training, Protection Dog Sales, and Ongoing Support in Tampa
Whether you’re looking for a new puppy, a working dog, or a fully-trained protection dog, The Working K9 can make it happen
Meet Your Trainers
Veronica Chircop, Founder and Owner

Born and raised in Ottawa, ON with family roots in the Czech Republic, Veronica has always had a passion for animals both big and small. Anyone who knows her knows that she doesn’t settle – she does everything at full speed and maximum effort. Veronica will use every single bit of her extensive experience to bring out the absolute best in you and your dog, and won’t settle for anything less.
She’s got show and sport titles to spare on several dogs, and a resume a mile long that includes training and teaching both police and military dogs in Canada and the United States, training Service Dogs, Temperament Testing for A-class breeders, and so much more. With clients all over the world, they’ll be the first to tell you that once you get in to training with Veronica, your view on life with dogs will change drastically thanks to everyone who’s been such an influence in her life. From attending seminars across the continent to training with some of the most influential names in the dog world, Veronica will use every connection she has and every tool in her tool box to make what you want happen – but only if you’re willing to hold up your end of the bargain.
She turned her passion into a lifestyle, created two companies in both Canada and the USA, and aims to be the best she can be. She won’t sugar-coat anything, but she’ll be your (and your dog’s!) biggest cheerleader.
But what you really need to know about her is that she works hard and expects you to work hard too.
Highlights
- Founder of Vom Chircop Malinois (2022-current)
- Sponsorship/Ambassador with Tactipup (2021-2022)
- FitPaws Dealer (2020-2021)
- Sponsorship/Ambassador with Fromm Family Foods (2020-current)
- Sponsorship/Ambassador with Vessi Footwear (2020)
- Sponsorship/Ambassador with Naturawls (2020)
- American Kennel Club approved AKC FIT DOG! club (2020- current)
- E-Collar Technologies Dealer (2020-current)
- American Kennel Club Judge for: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, AKC CGC, AKC CGCA, AKC CGCU, and AKC Trick Dog titles (2019-current)
- Sponsorship/Ambassador with Gunner Kennels (2019-present)
- Firearms Training – Florida Firearms Academy: Tampa, FL (2018)
- OHS Pet First Aid: Ottawa, ON (2015)
- Director – Dames Saving Danes Rescue: Ottawa, ON (2015)
- Volunteer & Adoption Coordinator – Friendly Giants Dog Rescue: Ottawa, ON (2013-2014)
- Founded/Owner of Happy Tails Pet Care Services: Ottawa, ON (2011-2021)
- Protection & Self Awareness Course: Ottawa, ON (2008)
- Emergency Vet Course: Ottawa, ON (2006)
Languages
- English
- French
- Czech
Memberships (Past and Present)
- DVG America
- Highway Schutzhund Club
- Doberman Pinscher Club of Canada
- American Working Malinois Association
- North America Diving Dog
- International Association of Canine Professionals
- Canadian Kennel Club
- American Kennel Club
- German Shepherd Schutzhund Club of Canada
- IPO Ottawa
- Pet Sitters International
Experience
- Obedience (Schutzhund/IGP, Rally Obedience, Competitive Obedience, etc.)
- Protection (Schutzhund/IGP, Police/Military K9 Criminal Apprehension, etc.)
- Scent (Tracking, Scent Boxes, etc.)
- Agility (Intro/Basic to Competitive)
- Service Dog (PTSD, Autism, etc.)
- Conformation (Handling, Baiting/shaping/luring, etc.)
Brandon Chircop, DO, Trainer, and IGP Helper/Decoy | Tampa, Florida

Growing up dreaming of being a Doctor, Brandon wanted to also live a life filled with animals. Since he can remember there were always dogs in the house – working-line and show-line Shepherds, primarily. He enjoyed learning about these dogs, learning about the type of exercise they need, and self-training as best as he could. But, it all started many moons ago when Brandon was in his teens, and his parents sought out the professional help of a world-renowned dog trainer to help them with one specific show-line Shepherd they owned: Sasha. He realized who this person was, and started soaking in as much as he could every time he got to train with him. He knew instantly knew he wanted to delve in to “that” world (and working dogs in general).
While doing his undergrad and then through medical school, he got the opportunity to take in, raise, and train a protection dog. This was where he really learned an incredible amount about working breeds. Finally, after well over a decade filled with learning, training, and even competing, as well as a few more dogs that came and gone through his doors, Brandon bought his first Belgian Malinois. Fast forward to now, where Brandon is working full time as a Medical Doctor at one of the Nation’s best hospitals, he teaches, trains and competes with The Working K9 – primarily as an IGP Helper/Decoy. He has over 15 years of learning, training, competing, and over-all experience with working breeds, as well as Schutzhund helper work. It’s a little hard not to know who “Doc B” is if you’ve met us or followed us on social media long enough.
In Brandons spare time, he enjoys training several times a week at a local Gracie Jiu Jitsu gym – including being on their competitive team, as well as fly fishing – you may recognize him in several magazines including the incredible YETI magazines. Brandon also loves all things hunting and truly anything outdoors, if we’re being quite honest.
Megan, Apprentice Trainer | Tampa, Florida

Megan has since added a second dog to her pack: Morticia vom Chircop AKA ‘Leti’ (Liška IGP3 x Yeti IGP1). Leti is Megan’s new puppy from our breeding kennel, Vom Chircop Malinois. They will be hopefully hitting the IGP/Schutzhund field to start their competition career together in 2024!
We love Megan and know our pack does too! Anyone who’s had the opportunity to meet Megan would say the same, I’m sure. Megan’s favorite aspect of working with The Working K9 is the personal protection and IGP/Schutzhund training .
Our Dogs
Liška
(S Liska Ot Vitosha CGN TKA RA SD ATD DS DM BH RATI RN IGP3) | DOB: December 2016
Liška was definitely a gift – she was born on Christmas Day! She comes from one of the top trainers in the world and two time world champion Ivan Balabanov’s Malinois kennel: Ot Vitosha Malinois & Premier Protection Dogs in Plant City, Florida. Her canine father, Ebor Ot Vitosha, was AWMA Champion in 2014, 2015, and 2016, and AWDF Champion in 2015 and 2016 – with absolutely nothing left to prove, Ebor was retired from the competitive world. Liška’s pedigree is first class.
Her name speaks to her heritage: her canine mother Accola is Czech, and her human mother (Veronica) is too! Her commands are all in Czech to honour this unique heritage.
Liška has plethora of commands in two different languages, holds double digit titles across two countries, and lives a life some dogs only ever dream of. From flying first class, to doing send outs and long bites with range-work going on in the background, to jumping off of 10 ft cement walls into the ocean, and taking down a 200lbs man like he’s a bag of leaves – she is the definition of badass.
Yeti
(F Yeti Ot Vitosha DJ CGC CGCU CGCA TKA RATI RN DS BH IGP1) | DOB: November 2018
Named after the cooler brand, Yeti is another Malinois from Ot Vitosha Malinois & Premier Protection Dogs. Yeti’s canine father C’Odin Ot Vitosha is an absolute beast, and hall of fame grandfather Qenny is the one and only American bred dog (of ANY breed!) to win the title of World Champion. He comes from phenomenal stock, and has taken on his pedigree’s uncompromising, powerful, and dominant traits in the competitive world.
Despite Brandon’s busy schedule as a physician, and Veronica’s busy schedule running two companies in not one but two countries, Yeti is worked almost daily. We respect the potential of our dogs, so we make time – no matter what – to train our dogs, and this pup is no exception. As a result, Yeti is already proving himself on the Schutzhund field. He earned his first title at the ripe age of 10 months.
Sitka
Sitka vom Logan Haus | DOB: January 2022
Named after beautiful Sitka, Alaska, as well as following suit of the outdoors brand theme half our animals have, we are thrilled to have this little hellion join our personal pack.
The Logan Haus Kennels breeding program is simply put, out of this world. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the LHK puppy program, it is created so that puppies are prepared to be purchased by some of the worlds finest police and military departments. Fun fact: LHK has more puppies than other breeder nation-wide that has their dogs in Tier 1 SOCOM positions. Unbelievable!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to own one of their dogs and hope to make them proud! Sitka will be raised and trained as a personal protection dog for me and my family. She will be exploring the world by our side as she grows, with the rest of the pack by her side. She is by far the best working puppy we’ve had the pleasure of working (let alone, owning!).


Sage
(SOK’s Sage TKN) | DOB: May 2020
Sage gets her name from the fly-fishing brand, which is appropriate for this hunting dog! Sage has already demonstrated her propensity for the water, and Brandon is looking forward to hunting waterfowl with her for sport (alongside her competing with Veronica in AKC/UKC field trials and hunt tests, of course)!
Sage is out of the famous “Hank the Tank” from world-class Southern Oak Kennels, one of the best-built Labradors you’re ever likely to lay eyes on. Hank snagged his HRCH title before he turned two and never looked back. Sage gets her unbelievable work ethic from not only Hank but canine mom “Dixie”, another Southern Oak Kennels phenom.
Reaper
(Reaper vom Logan Haus | DOB October 2022)
Yeti Jr.
(Spooky vom Chircop | DOB: October 2022)
Aspen
(Wednesday vom Chircop | DOB October 2022)
RIP

Síla
(CH ConnQuest Million Miles an Hour v Kelview TKN) | DOB: December 2019
Síla passed away surrounded by love in October of 2022 from an aggressive Osteosarcoma. This was devastating for us and we miss her terribly. RIP Weela; Dec 30 2019-October 17 2022.
Síla’s name means “strong” in Czech, and she lives up to her name in every sense! DPCA Nationals 2020 Futurity nominated, Síla is feisty and sleek, and a real force to be reckoned with – but that is to be expected with her amazing breeders. Her mother, the indomitable Khalessi, was awarded two Best Puppy in Shows in her first show weekend alone and finished her Canadian Championship in two weekends. Her father is an American Champion himself whose lines are filled with Champion and Grand Champion dogs. During her second show weekend ever, Síla – who was only 14 months old at the time, came home with a Best In Show as well as a Reserve Best In Show – we’d be lying if we said tears weren’t shed.
Síla has a very bright future ahead of her in the show ring and we couldn’t be more excited to show her off.