All meaningful developments in life arise from two primary sources: necessity and lessons learned. Necessity compels innovation and action in response to immediate demands, while experience—shaped by both success and failure—refines judgment and informs future decisions. Together, these forces drive growth, resilience, and the continual pursuit of improvement.
Fortis Canine LLC was born out of necessity, not convenience.
After 24 years in Naval Special Operations and multiple combat deployments, returning to everyday life presented challenges that required a different kind of support. Like many veterans, the transition home was not simple, and the need for a reliable service dog became clear.
The search for one, however, revealed a difficult reality. Many large organizations had waitlists exceeding three years, with costs often surpassing $30,000. That path wasn’t realistic.
In 2015, everything changed in an unexpected way.
At one of my daughter’s equine events, my kids brought home a $50 puppy—a black Labrador and Blue Heeler mix we named Beaux. What started as a simple gesture quickly became something much more. With no formal training background at the time, I began working with him myself, making more than a few mistakes along the way. Looking back, I likely learned just as much from those mistakes as I did from any success.
Despite the imperfect process, Beaux became an exceptional service dog. More than that, he became a lifeline—one that, at a critical moment, helped save my life.
Today, Beaux is retired but remains an integral part of the Fortis Canine team. His steady temperament and complete neutrality make him invaluable in training environments, where he consistently sets the standard for what a balanced dog should be. While very little phases him, his reliability is especially meaningful in situations involving environmental stressors such as fireworks. Because fireworks are a known trigger for me, they have largely been avoided rather than specifically trained for, making his calm, composed presence in those moments all the more impactful. His steadiness continues to provide both practical support and a clear example of stability under pressure.
Building on that foundation, I pursued formal training and certification. My Doberman, Harley Quinn, now two years old, trained alongside me for six months at Highland Canine Training School for Dog Trainers in Harmony, North Carolina, where I earned my Master Dog Trainer certification.
While at Highland, Harley Quinn was part of the training program’s dog pool, where she was consistently trained and evaluated by both instructors and fellow students. During that time, she was developed across multiple service dog tasks and exposed to a variety of dog sports, including agility, tracking, and rally. This well-rounded training environment helped shape her into a highly capable and adaptable working dog.
It is also important to recognize that training does not end once a dog has been formally trained. Even well-trained canines require ongoing maintenance, reinforcement, and continued development as they grow and mature. Consistent training ensures that skills remain reliable, behaviors stay sharp, and the dog continues to adapt successfully to new environments and expectations.
Harley Quinn is now my primary service dog, trained in crowd navigation, rear-position blocking, PTSD support, and mobility assistance. She represents the next evolution of what Fortis Canine stands for—precision training, reliability, and real-world functionality.
Fortis Canine LLC exists because this journey needed to exist.
My goal is to bring the education and experience I’ve gained into each and every home I work with—especially for veterans who are facing the same kinds of struggles I have. I don’t claim to be perfect, and I don’t pretend to know everything. What I do commit to is constant growth. I surround myself with highly knowledgeable trainers, and I’m continually studying canine learning theory, ethology, and physiology to better understand the dogs and people I serve.
Fortis Canine is built on firsthand experience, hard lessons, and the belief that a properly trained dog can change—and even save—a life.