Our Dog Trainers and Staff

Our dedicated staff offers years of professional experience with both dogs and people that creates a team that is unequalled in the industry. We have the skills and expertise to match and train the right dog to meet the needs of our clients and their families.

Jason Purgason, CPDT-KA, CDT, APDT

Jason is the Training Director of Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been working with dogs and people for over 20 years. Jason is a certified pet dog trainer through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers, a member of the National Autism Association, Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Jason has trained dogs and people throughout the United States as well as instructing and lecturing internationally.

Jason has successfully trained dogs for police, protection, search and rescue, detection, competition obedience, agility, service dogs for the disabled, tracking, and dogs for print ads and television, to name a few. Jason is a former law enforcement officer and police canine handler and supervisor. He understands how important it is for a working dog to perform reliablity in the field. Jason has previously worked extensively with children and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, physical handicaps and other disabilties.

Jason instructs and supervises all of the training programs at Highland Canine Training, LLC to include our pet training, working dog training, service and assistance dog training as well as our School for Dog Trainers.

Bobbie Ellis, MSW, CDT, APDT

Bobbie has worked with children and families for 15 years. She began working with disabled children as a classroom aid in the early 90’s. She continued to work with the local family assistant programs that included, survivors of domestic violence counselor, rape crisis counselor, grieving children counselor and after school programs, to name a few. She later earned her masters degree in social work and practiced clinical work with children with severe mental health disorders, bio-neurological disorders, and other issues. She understands that children can’t be assisted in a vacuum, they need the support of their family and other community providers.

Bobbie also brings her knowledge of dog training to the Assistance Dog for Autism program. She earned her dog training certificate from Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been their head trainer since 2009. Her work with all types of breeds and temperaments assists her in choosing the right dog for each family. Bobbie is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Natalee Erquitt, BS, BAE, M. ED.

Natalee has over 20 years of experience teaching both in North Carolina and Georgia. She first began working with students and children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in 1990. Natalee has a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M. Ed. in Special Education with concentration in Behavior Disorders.

Natalee started as a client of Highland Canine Training, LLC two years ago working with her rescue puppy and conducting protection training at our facility in Harmony, NC. Natalee is our Office Manager and handles processing applications, initial client interviews as well as ensuring that our clients have a seamless experience in purchasing their new Autism Assistance Dog. Natalee is also a volunteer/foster with local area rescue organization.

Erin Purgason, BS, CPT, APDT

Erin is the owner of Highland Canine Training, LLC and has been a sworn law enforcement officer since 2002. Erin has a B.S. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. Erin has tutored children with Autism Spectrum Disorders on a volunteer basis and has also fostered children on the Autism Spectrum. She assists with training Autism Service Dogs as well as Service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities. Erin, a veterinary technician since 1995, manages the overall health and wellbeing of our Assistance and Service dogs to maintain their optimum working performance. Erin also handles a scent discrimination Search and Rescue tracking bloodhound on a volunteer basis. Erin is a member of the National Autism Association, Association of Pet Dog Trainers and a certified American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen evaluator.

Linda Taylor, BA, CPT, APDT

Linda has been training and working with dogs and people for over 10 years. She is located at our Matthews, NC location and serves Matthews, Charlotte, Indian Trail, Pineville and the surrounding areas. She conducts Group Classes in Matthews and in Mooresville. She teaches Basic and Advanced Training, as well as Behavior Modification and Therapy Dog Training. Linda is a certified Therapy Dog Trainer, a certified Personal Service Dog Trainer, a certified CPT, a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a certified A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Linda works with all breeds of dogs and specializes in correcting problem behaviors. She works with clients to correct aggression, fear and dominance, jumping, mouthing, pulling on the leash to name a few. Linda is a certified personal trainer and is offering classes in Agility and Rally-Obedience, and our new Get Fit With Your Dog program, for those interested in quick paced sports oriented training. These classes are fun and healthy for both the dog and the client.

Linda manages our Therapy Dog Program in the Charlotte and surrounding areas. Her understanding of human nature and animal behavior, as well as the needs of both allows her to create specialized programs designed to meet the needs of all involved. Her methods of training include, Positive Reinforcement, Training in Drive, Clicker Training and remote collar training.