Dog Trainer
James is a Jacksonville area native who joined the army when he was 19 years old and medically retired from the Army with 12 years of active federal service. After retiring from the United States Army, James's life took a transformative turn when he received a service dog. This faithful companion not only enhanced his overall lifestyle but also instilled in him a deep sense of purpose. Recognizing the profound impact that service dogs can have on individuals' lives, James eagerly pursued a career as an instructor in a service dog program specifically designed to assist military veterans grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma. He worked his way up from instructor to lead instructor and spent 4 1/2 years pairing and assisting more than 300 teams of service dogs and disabled veterans.
James decided he wanted to help ALL people build stronger relationships with their dogs. He naturally came to Sit Happens Dog Training where he knew he could have the greatest impact in people’s lives. When James isn’t working with dogs, including three of his own, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, all while studying Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese and completing his degree in business administration.