1980 – Steve begins training dogs while stationed in Okinawa, Japan as a Military Policeman for the U.S. Marine Corp. During this year, he attended the Patrol Dog School as well as the Narcotic Detector Dog School. Upon graduation, he worked as a Patrol / Drug Detection Dog Handler with his dog Delaney, a male Collie / German Shepherd mix.

1983 – Begins training in the Explosive Detection Dog Program. After certification, Steve worked as a dual handler working with both drug detection dogs and explosive detection dogs. He also competed and placed second overall in the Far East Asia Intra Service Military Working Dog Trial with his dog George, a male German Shepherd. Steve was also the non-commissioned training officer for a 10 dog unit which required the creation of on the job scenarios and remedial training programs for teams exhibiting weaknesses on the street. Steve was also the non-commissioned training officer for a 10 dog unit which required the creation of on the job scenarios and remedial training programs for teams exhibiting weaknesses on the street.

1986 – Transfers to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he worked as a Bomb Dog Handler and the non-commissioned training officer. Steve also attended Kennel Master School where he served as the Kennel Master for a 12 dog unit upon graduation.

1988 – Places second in the Island Wide Military Police Dog Trials.

1989 – Wins the Island Wide Military Police Dog Trials with his German Shepherd, Cay and earned the coveted title of “Top Dog.”

1992 – Accepts a position at Pilot Dogs, Inc., a guide dog school in Columbus, Ohio. After completing a three year apprenticeship, he was promoted to Trainer / Instructor working with up to 10 dogs per three month training cycles. Steve worked with a variety of dogs including German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and the Hungarian Vizsla. It is during his work at Pilot dogs, and later, the Seeing Eye, that Steve developed a soft handling and teaching style to meet the needs of dogs that are bred for their more sensitive nature.

1993 – Acquires a German Shepherd puppy to compete in the demanding and challenging sport of Schutzhund. Steve went on to title his dog, Frazier, from puppy to Schutzhund 3 and FH (an advanced tracking title). During this journey, he won local trials and high in tracking at the regional level. In a sport where a high percentage of dogs are imported already trained and titled, this in itself is an accomplishment.

1996 – Accepts a job at the world renowned “The Seeing Eye,” the first and original guide dog school in the United States. While at the Seeing Eye, Steve worked as an instructor and team leader for up to 40 dogs per team every four months. In addition to these responsibilities, Steve also operated as a traveling instructor, working with graduate students in their home environment which required the evaluation and development of follow up training programs for any problems that were encountered on the field.

2002 – Establishes Real K9 Solutions.

2005 – Competes at the 2005 North American Schutzhund Championship. Steve paced 4th as a handler / owner while placing 4th at the H.O.T. Championship.

2017 – Steves receives his certificate from Assistance Dogs International as a certified service dog instructor.

Present Day – Steve is currently splitting his time working for the guide dog foundation assisting people throughout the country and working with his clients for Real K9 Solutions while spending his free time campaigning his young male Belgian Malinois in IPO.