OUR STORY
We are a new organization with deep roots. Our founders spent years training service dog teams for local non-profits, guided by our mentor Terry Sandhoff and driven by a shared love of this work. When it was time to branch out, we carried everything we loved about our experiences with us…. keeping the heart, structure, and community spirit.
This is our next chapter: a place where anyone with a disability can access thoughtful, empowering service dog training, surrounded by support and grounded in trust.
Amanda
Amanda has been working with animals for decades and training service dogs professionally since 2016. She served as the Director of Training for several non-profits and teaches animal behavior at the graduate level through the Animal Behavior Institute. With a husband who is a veteran with PTSD, Amanda brings both personal and professional passion to her work. Her training style is structured, supportive, and rooted in real-world experience.
Steve
Steve served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2009 as a Infantryman, including a 15-month deployment to Iraq with Charlie Company 1-26INF . After years of Mental Health work he decided to make the huge step in going to college.He began training his first service dog as a student in August 2017 and quickly found his calling. Deciding to get into the fight to help not only fellow disabled veterans, but also First Responders and regular everyday Civilians. His mentor Terry Sandhoff picked him up as an apprentice in January 2018, Steve earned his stripes as a full trainer just six months later. Over the past eight years, he’s worn many hats in the service dog world. From Trainer to Master Trainer, Board Member to now one of the Founders and President of our organization. His training style is calm, clear, and deeply personal. He will make you feel comfortable and welcome making unsure students drop their guard. Especially once you hear his “Mickey Mouse” voice.
“Steven and Amanda are brilliant and did wonders working with me and my Belgian Malinois. It was always such an informative class and they were very patient and made things fun. I highly recommend them for all the skills and task work dogs should have.”