Meet your Thunderhawk Family

Christie Meyer Faccinto
BS, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA

Owner, Training Director

Christie graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Natural Science with a Bachelor’s in Zoology and a Concentration in Animal Behavior and Neurobiology in December 1998. After graduating, Christie attended North State Canine Academy in Sanford, North Carolina (February 1999) where she received her Master Trainer’s Certification in Professional Pet Obedience and Behavior Modification. Her first National Certification occurred in 2005, when she passed a standardized exam for professional dog training and most recently, Christie passed a standardized exam specific to clinical behavior consultation and behavior modification. She stays current and employs on science based principals through extensive continuing education (partial list below).

Christie worked with Kern Road Veterinary Clinic in Fowlerville, MI from May of 1997 to March 2008 where she created the behavior programs that led to clinical referrals from other Mid-Michigan Veterinarians. In March 2008, Christie moved to Cookeville, TN to begin working with her then boyfriend (now husband) at Thunderhawk Canine. In the time since, they have provided numerous full patrol K9s to various departments (including Tennessee Highway Patrol). Christie has established relationships with most of the Upper Cumberland Veterinary hospitals, allowing her to assist in an integrated approached to your pet’s behavior issues. She has created the obedience and training programs that have worked for your neighbors for over a decade, and she has coached new trainers in the industry – helping them develop from first time leash holders to Nationally Certified professionals

Christie’s diversified training experience, coupled with a strong veterinary technical assistance background, makes her well suited to address your pet’s every need.

Emily Eastham

Senior Trainer, Assistant Office Manager

Emily Eastham joined the Thunderhawk Family in August of 2019. She is a junior at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in biology with a heavy emphasis in Animal Behavior.

She isn’t from a “dog family,” but that didn’t stop her strong desire to get involved as soon as she could. In 2016, her family added a German Shepherd (Renegade) to their home, and Emily quickly began training her dream dog. In 2017, she also added an Australian Shepherd (Rio) and her interest in sports and training matched her dogs’ need to work. Currently she is training in obedience, weight pull, agility, flyball, disc, tricks, and anything else her pups want to try!

Emily is a founding member of the SAVE US club at Tenn Tech, and has assisted with training shelter dogs for 3 semesters. The goal of the program is to improve adoption rates. She also received an CISE undergraduate research grant to examine the potential of training shelter dogs to be therapy dogs. This resulted in the adoption and training of Krypto, who spent 6 weeks at a children’s reading camp – dedicated to improving literacy. Though the correlation is not statistically published, the camp had its highest retention of participants, with most students stating that Krypto was their favorite part of camp.

Emily’s knowledge in Animal Behavior has quickly made her into a valuable asset on the Thunderhawk team. She is meticulous in her husbandry skills, aiding the crew as a kennel tech. She also participates in daily training of the in-board obedience dogs, and will soon been assisting group classes. Emily has really taken an interest in the Force Free Philosophy, and furthers her education by participating in classes through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy. In Fall of 2020, Emily passed the National Certification exam with flying colors, but continues learning.

We look forward to Emily growing with Thunderhawk, and can’t wait to continue putting her ideas into practice as we help the community.

Stephanie Miller

Outdoor Adventures Instructor

Stephanie is a student at Tennessee Technological University as a Wildlife and Fisheries major, with a concentration of Conservation. She graduates with her Bachelor’s of Science THIS DECEMBER! Prior to beginning college, Stephanie served in the United States Marine Corps from 1996-2001.

Carrie Harris, Guest Instructor

Conformation Handling

Carrie began showing in Conformation shows in 2013. Since that time, she has handled the VERY BIG (her Great Dane) to the very small (her dachshund), and coached teams composed of many breeds in between. She has Owner Handed a Dachshund to a Championship and multiple Owner Handled Group Placements.

Carrie shares her home with 9 dogs – a Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, and 7 Dachshunds. Although she dabbles in agility, Carrie’s heart lies in the conformation ring. In her words “a great way to learn about the importance of breed preservation but also a great way to bond with your dog. I hope to share my passion of dog shows through teach others about them.”

Contact Carrie for information on Handling Classes!
Email: harriscarrie11@gmail.com

Matthew Faccinto, BS

Owner, Trainer

Matt’s personal dog, Fonzie, lead to the largest monetary confiscation in the state of Tennessee’s history – over 4 million dollars in drug money!

Matthew Faccinto served in the Navy from 1993-1999. From there, he attended Hamilton University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Matt began formally working with dogs in 2002, both training and decoying for others. He began training police dogs for narcotics and apprehension shortly thereafter. Matt’s accomplishments include titling multiple dogs in protection sport and certifying many dogs to work the streets as Police K9 on local city municipalities, county sheriff departments, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. He has become very well established as a local expert in the field of canine behavior and was a founding member of “Bite Free Putnam County” in Cookeville, TN.