Dirk has had dogs in his life for as long as he can remember, and they’ve always been rescues. Growing up with Whiskers, Archie, Tess, Gertie, Suki, and Acacia — and now Casper, Skye, and Frodo (The Fluff Dynasty) — he learned early on the patience, consistency, and empathy needed to help dogs thrive.

Training became second nature to him as a child, and as an adult he was once told by a local trainer he didn’t need their help because he already knew what to do. That moment gave him the confidence to trust his instincts and continue developing his skills, which now span more than 35 years of hands-on experience.

Outside of dogs, Dirk has worked extensively with young people in the outdoors. He has led school groups, summer camps, and even spent a year working intensively with disaffected youth. He found that the same principles that help children succeed — patience, structure, encouragement, and clear boundaries — are exactly what dogs need too.

Dirk is known for his calm presence, his love of storytelling, and his ability to connect with both people and animals in a way that builds trust and confidence.