Alex Schnell

Owner/Lead Trainer
Alex grew up in western South Dakota. During his childhood, he was an avid dog lover. Alex first saw the amazing potential that dogs had watching bird dogs work the fields while hunting. Alex continued to work with hunting breeds until he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2012. With a desire to continue working with dogs in the military, Alex was selected to become a Military Working Dog Handler. Since 2013, Alex’s life has been dedicated to the craft of dog training. During his military career Alex worked with dogs in our Nation’s most elite units, including the Marine Special Operations Career, where Alex completed three combat tours with his Multi-Purpose Canine Bass. Bass is one of the most decorated working dogs in American military history.
Since beginning his career in 2013 Alex has trained hundreds of dogs, handlers, and dog teams. Alex has experience during his time in active duty and working for federal agencies like the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. In late 2020, Alex brought his subject matter expertise to pets and their owners, helping hundreds of families improve the relationship they have with their dogs.
Alex has assembled a team of K9 Coaches that excel at dog training and owner coaching to ensure you become a DOG TEAM LEADER.
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Zach Fresquez

ILK9 Trainer

Zach was born and raised right here in San Antonio, TX. He grew up always having a family dog and loved to interact with all animals, but never thought a future career as an animal trainer was in his future.

He graduated from Texas State University with a degree in Applied Mathematics in 2017. Since graduation, Zach’s career has centered around educating and advising people in a professional setting.

In 2014, Zach adopted his first personal dog, Harry. Two years later, Zach expanded his dog family when his wife, Mar, brought her Daschund mix, Riggins, into the family. Together they adopted a third dog named Willow, a beautiful Husky/Blue Heeler mix.

Zach and his family had some issues with their newly formed pack. For years they had to keep Riggins and Harry physically separated in fear of an aggressive fight breaking out at any moment. They could not have their dogs out together inside their home and could not leave the dogs alone. Zach and Mar were essentially held prisoner by their dog’s behavioral problems. These circumstances brought Zach to Ivy League Canine Academy in 2021. Zach, his family, and all three of their dogs went through ILK9 Academy’s training curriculum to overcome these behavioral issues and begin a new journey.

Since Zach and his dogs graduated from ILK9 Academy’s training curriculum Zach has found a new passion in his life: Dog Training. His life was truly revolutionized by the training and his goal is to now pass that feeling on to other dog owners.

Since January of 2022 Zach has worked with ILK9 as an intern and assistant trainer. He has gone through extensive behavioral modification courses and electronic certification courses. Zach has been an official ILK9 Academy Trainer and Owner Coach since December 2022. Zach is now bringing his subject matter expertise and unique perspective as a rehabilitated dog owner to help you accomplish all the goals you have with your dog!”

Alex Marquissee

ILK9 Trainer

Alex grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin surrounded by dogs as family pets and always wanted a career where he could work with dogs. Alex was able to make that dream become a reality when he was selected to become a Military Working Dog Handler during his service in the Marine Corps.
Alex served in the United States Marine Corps from 2014 until 2022. During his distinguished service as a Marine, Alex accomplished many things in the Military Working Dog community. Alex excelled as a working dog handler and earned the privilege for advanced opportunities, schools, and deployments with his assigned working dog named Gage. Gage and Alex completed two sea-service deployments during their service while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. After his tour in Japan ended, Alex continued his working dog career as the Chief Trainer and, eventually, Kennel Master at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA.
After a distinguished eight year career, Alex was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and moved his family to San Antonio, TX. Alex brought his eight year career and subject matter expertise to the ILK9 Academy team in 2022. Helping dogs and their handlers/owners create a lasting bond through training and proper instruction is why Alex and Ivy League Canine Academy continues to push towards the top of this industry throughout San Antonio, Von Ormy, Bulverde, and Schertz, TX.