James Rutland
James, a Jacksonville native, joined the Army at 19 and served for 12 years before retiring from his service. His life took a meaningful turn when he received a service dog, which not only improved his quality of life but also sparked a new sense of purpose.
About James
Who is James Rutland?
Inspired by the positive impact his service dog had on him, James became an instructor in a program that pairs service dogs with military veterans dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma. Over 4 years, he worked his way up to lead instructor, helping over 300 service dog and veteran teams.
James’s passion for helping others led him to Sit Happens Dog Training, where he knew he could make an even bigger difference by helping people build stronger relationships with their dogs. When he’s not working with dogs— including his own three —James enjoys spending time with his wife and family, studying Spanish and Portuguese, and working toward his degree in business administration.
The Team
Meet more trainers
Meet St. Augustine’s expert dog trainers. Certified professionals with 10+ years experience. Specializing in puppies, obedience, behavior modification.
Erika Fontana
Erika has lived in Florida since 1994 and animals have always been a big part of her life. Despite getting a degree in psychology, Erika knew she wanted to work with dogs and cats in some way. Her career started by working in shelters for many years because of her passion for animal welfare.
Ken Wille
Ken’s love for dogs started before he could even walk, and it’s been his calling ever since. Born and raised in Chicagoland, he moved to St. Augustine after marrying his best friend in 2011.
Kendra Roop
Kendra has spent the last 5+ years working professionally with dogs and their owners, and it shows in her energetic and passionate approach to training.