From Miami's dolphins and exotic wildlife to leading a national service animal network — a Florida-based career built entirely on passion for animals.
Some people find their calling. I think mine found me — probably covered in fur and wagging its tail. My career in animal welfare stretches from the salt water tanks of the Miami Seaquarium and the sprawling habitats of Zoo Miami to the frontlines of service animal advocacy.
Today I lead TheraPetic® Healthcare Provider Group as Executive Director and oversee all training attestation operations at Official Service Dog. Every day, my work helps connect people with animals that change their lives — the same way animals changed mine.
When I'm not running the network or reviewing task evaluations, you'll find me at home in Florida with my fiancée and our two pawfect pups — Griffin and Kenobi. They remind me every single day why this work matters.
I've cared for dolphins, sea lions, exotic wildlife, and everything in between. Now I channel that experience into making sure service dogs and emotional support animals are properly evaluated, trained, and documented — because the human-animal bond deserves to be taken seriously.
Every role shaped who I am. Every animal taught me something new.
From the ocean to the zoo to your living room — every species taught me something about care, behavior, and the bond between animals and people.
Leading a national nonprofit network and professional service dog training organization — two sides of the same mission.
— Ryan J. Gaughan
Whether it's about service dog training, nonprofit collaboration, or just sharing a good animal story — I'm always happy to connect.