Meet professional dog trainer James Rutland.

James Rutland

Dog Trainer


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. 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.

Share by: