MY STORY

I have always loved dogs but I could never have imagined where that would take me. I got a slot in the program at my police department in 1999. I got a PHII titled Mal from VLK as my first working dog. I left my department to become a trainer at VLK. I went to Iraq in 2005 as a contractor working a dog on combat missions that served as the catalyst for the SOFMPC program.
I was the first trainer hired for the Special Forces and deployed with their first two dogs to Afghanistan in 2007. I made several more deployments to OEF over the next 7 years training and working dogs on missions.

I trained service dogs on the Warriors Heart Ranch in Bandera, Texas. I went with Chris “Dutch” Moyer to Saudi Arabia and conducted a 12 week patrol dog course.
I spent 3 years as a handler for the State Department working at the BDSC and the BEC. During that time I worked as a handler under the contractor provided dog and Government Furnished Equipment iterations of the program. I resigned late in 2020 during the COVID crazy period.

Back in Texas I learned to sew equipment with the help of Tony Burks at T.A.B. Gear. In 2021 I got the opportunity to return to both my native Tennessee and the SOFMPC program. I have traveled to Europe to select dogs for import.
I have selected dogs for training from shelters and rescues. I have competed in numerous competitions as a handler. I have learned over the years that what makes a great working dog has a tremendous amount of overlap with a service dog or a pet. I also began to think of equipment that I have used over the years.

This is the intersection where Practical to Tactical training and equipment developed. I want to share what I have learned with anyone interested in developing their own knowledge base.
Check out the equipment and feel free to contact me for custom requests or quotes for any discipline of training you may require.