My parents raised German Shepherds show dogs when I was a kid so I grew up with at least one GSD around. They built a dog and cat boarding business which included a dog training service. The business is still running but under new owners.
In the late 80’s I worked in Retail Mall Security.
In ’90 I moved to South Florida and got involved in Law Enforcement and Security.
In ’91 I became a Christian and accepted Christ at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale. It was about the same time I started working there as the Head of Security.
In the early 90’s I graduated from the Broward County Police academy and worked a short time as a Police Officer in South Florida. I was also the Head of Security for a large Christian Church in South Florida and did Armed Mobile Patrol for a larger Security company in South Florida.
In 2000 I switched professions and learned Web Development and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Most of my clients are Dog Trainers which eventually motivated me to do more dog training.
In 2005 I got married to Melodie and we worshiped and served at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale and later we attended Calvary Chapel Parkland. Our volunteer work consists of being involved with different ministries at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale including; Benevolence, Pre-marital counselling, Security team, Convalescence, Kings Kids (Special Needs Children’s Ministry with Coco my Therapy Dog)
In 2009 I became the President of SEO Does Matter, Inc. Since I have been doing optimization and development for so long, my wife and I thought we should get more serious about starting an we incorporated SEO business for the South Florida area, so “seodoesmatter.com” was born. Search Engine Optimization is all about getting leads and / or promoting your business. In order to get leads you need to rank well in a search engine for a good keyword and have people click to your site and take an action, that can be to contact you or to purchase your goods or services.
In 2011 my wife and I adopted a German Shepherd Puppy that she named Coco.
In 2014 Coco my German Shepherd Dog and I got certified by Canine Assisted Therapy, a local Therapy Dog organization Canine Assisted Therapy of Oakland Park FL. One of the first places we visited regularly was an Adult Day Care in Margate, FL and a Special Needs Ministry (Kings Kids) at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale.
In 2014 Coco won 1st place for Dog Tricks at the Woofstock event in Sunrise, FL. and first prize at the South FL Pet Expo Trick Contest. I think we won the South FL Pet Expo a few more times. I started doing Therapy Dog activities with her, we regularly visited an Adult Day Care in Margate and the Special Needs Ministry at Calvary Chapel Church in Fort Lauderdale. We continue to attend Calvary Chapel Kids Ministry but not as often as in years past.
In 2015 Coco and I got more involved with the City of Margate, at first we were with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. From there I did more for the city and often reported directly to the City Commission and Mayor. Now Coco and I volunteers with the City of Margate Police Dept. Coco came in second in the Dog Tricks contest at the City of Plantations Doggie Palooza event. We joined the City of Margate’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Coco was one of the first CERT dogs in the country. We were involved with most of the City of Margate’s events like the Winter Carnival, July 4th Parade and Celebration, Veteran Day and Memorial Day Ceremony, Fall Festival, Shop with a Cop, National Night Out, Backpack giveaway for students, Trunk or Treat, Coffee with a Cop.
Since 2016 we have been with the Therapy Dog Organization Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
In 2017 she won the Dog Tricks contest at the City of Plantations Doggie Palooza event
In 2018 we joined Canines for Christ which is a Christian focused Therapy Dog Organization based out of Tampa, FL.
In 2018 we went to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School days after the shooting when the students returned to the school. We also visited the Broward Sheriff’s Office Communication Centers to offer comfort to the Dispatchers after the shooting. We attended Therapy Dog Thursdays at the City of Parkland Rec center for a few months after the incident. We continue to go to the annual appreciation events for the First Responders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1733995223331978&type=3
In 2018 the Margate Police Dept recommended me to the Broward County TRIAD Leadership Council where I was awarded Citizen of the Year for my volunteering. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2125123927552437&type=3
In 2020 Covid changed many things, some people didn’t even know they could legally go outside and walk their dog. So I started organizing dog walks. Primarily we walked on the C-14 canal in Margate, at the Promenade in Coconut Creek and at the Atlantic Blvd and the Everglades. I have been helping people with their dogs since 2012 – 2013 when I was doing trick contests with Coco but once I organized the walks, I had people paying me to help them with their dogs that had been stuck with them in their houses. Another Covid phenomenon was “covid puppies”, since people were stuck in their houses more they got dogs. Some shelters almost emptied out because so many people wanted a dog to keep them company while they were stuck in the house. This also helped me make more of a business out of my hobby of helping people with their dogs. https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingDoesMatter/photos/?ref=page_internal&tab=album
In 2021 Coco and I responded to the Building Collapse in Surfside, FL. a few days after the incident. Our primary mission was to comfort the First Responders on the scene. One of the shifts we spent with the Miami Dade, Miami Beach Crime Scene people. The other days we moved around the area offering comfort to the First Responders working the active scene.
In 2022 (May) I got a Full Knee Replacement, read about it here – Full Knee Replacement
Most of our clients are Dog Trainers. Check out my companies portfolio.