I’ve spent my life learning from dogs and the people who love working them. I grew up between New York City and Palmyra, Pennsylvania, two very different worlds that taught me how to balance grit, patience, and adaptability. Those lessons have carried me through everything I do, from football to dog training.

My passion for dogs started long before college. My dad had two dogs when I was growing up, and from the time I was a kid, I was fascinated by how they thought, moved, and communicated. I knew early on that I wanted to understand that connection, not just as a handler, but as a student of the dog.

At the University of Notre Dame, I played linebacker and met one of the most influential people in my life, Jeff Rynearson. Jeff became a mentor and a friend, and together we explored the psychology behind canine behavior. For one of my psychology classes, we created a project where my dog and I tracked down a professor who had hidden on campus. That moment didn’t start my journey, it confirmed it. It showed me just how deep the partnership between dog and handler could go.

From there, my life became all about working dogs. One of my best experiences was  campaigning Yogy Policia-Slovakia on the national scene, earning multiple accolades, including the Helper’s Favorite Award. Yogy taught me a lot about heart, precision, and connection lessons that still shape my approach today. Yogy was co-owened with my former teammate Tom Zbikowski.

I worked as the training helper for the first American K9 team to win the WUSV World Championship in Finland, with Iron von den Wolfen taking home the title of World Champion. I’ve been fortunate to coach handlers at every level, helping teams find success at club, regional, national, and world levels.

I’ve also dedicated a lot of my time to mentoring young helpers and building a strong, supportive working dog community. Along the way, I’ve learned from some of the best, who helped sharpen my technical style and approach as a helper.

At IBSO K9, my goal is simple: to bring out the best in every dog and handler team I work with. Every dog has potential, and when that’s matched with trust, structure, and purpose, the results speak for themselves.