Meet Jason

My passion for dogs probably began the same way as most, by being born into a family of dog lovers. I cannot recall memories of my grandparents, Ruth and Fred Unger, without an image of their shepherd, Keller; their boxer, Queenie; or their mutt, Nicole, alongside them. My childhood pet was a shepherd named Zackson. He was not only my childhood companion but, at times, my friend and protector, especially when my father traveled for business many days out of the week. I remember thinking of myself as a dog trainer as early as age 11, when my mother and I would teach Zackson the obedience routines she had learned in a basic obedience class. I can’t say the training always worked, but it sure was fun! 

Whether it was the passing of Zackson or my dislike for bookwork at school, I knew that being around dogs, training dogs, and preventing cruelty toward dogs was what I needed to do. I got hired at the Washington County SPCA in Hagerstown, MD. I cleaned kennels, washed dishes, and even met my wife there. I moved up quickly and became an animal control officer for two years, where I learned various tools, skills, and techniques geared toward developing better relationships between people and their canine pets. After struggling with the euthanasia of animals, I left the SPCA and took a job in sales like my father. But in the summer of 2003, I believe God sent me a sign that led me back to this path.

A close friend of mine, Mark Frie, had gone missing and was believed to have drowned in the Antietam Creek. Many of our friends joined the police and fire department's search efforts. After a long and painful 48 hours, and without the aid of cadaver dogs, Mark’s body was retrieved and returned to his family.

The next day, I quit my sales job and began my search for the best dog training school I could find. My search ended when my wife and I read about the Tom Rose School for Dog Trainers in St. Louis, Missouri. This was the only dog training school recognized by the United States Department of Education, and it may still be. I graduated top of my class as a Professional Trainer in 2004 from the Tom Rose School of Dog Training in Jefferson County, Missouri.

I received top honors and certification from East Coast K-9 under the direction of Clay Meadow for the following law enforcement techniques:

• Sport
• Home invasion
• Home protection
• Tracking
• Search and rescue
• TNT detection
• Narcotics detection
• Helper work
• Personal protection
• High impact patrol dogs
• Schutzhund 1, 2 and 3

I returned as a graduate from the Tom Rose School of Dog Training 4 weeks before my first child's birth and began the new journey of fatherhood, dog trainer, and business owner. After eight years, I am happy to report that I am still happily married, have three daughters, and manage the business one day at a time!