They say dogs are a man’s best friend. Loyal, intelligent, and fun-loving, it’s no wonder why they make such great pets. Brownsburg makes a great home for these pooches, with trails, a dog park, and VonBernd K-9 Training Center. There, master trainer Jake Skillet brings out the best in each dog through individual, personalized training.

VonBernd offers everything from basic obedience to advanced protection training. Each session is private and tailored for any breed or age.

“The really incredible part about animal training in general is its little finite details that mean the world to the dog,” Skillet said.

Skillet’s journey with animals began at a young age, working with exotic animals and big cats. Over time, his focus narrowed to dogs, leading him to pursue a career as a K-9 officer.

Setting out to get his tracking bloodhound certified, he found a location in Indiana, kick-starting his new career in dog training.

“I started the Crawfordsville VonBernd location with John Holcomb, who owns a VonBernd location in Terre Haute, many years ago,” Skillet explained.

From there, Jake and his wife, Shelby, made the move from Kansas to Brownsburg, where they opened their own VonBernd K-9 Training Center.

“I haven’t looked back; it’s been the most incredible journey.”

Over the years, Skillet has trained hundreds of dogs, from bomb detection canines in Iraq to personal protection dogs for NFL players. His philosophy centers on creating stronger, more trusting relationships between dogs and their owners.

Typically, his training focuses on breaking bad habits in dogs and owners. A dog’s poor behavior often comes from a lack of consistency, Skillet explained.

“It’s more comfortable to do the right thing than it is to do the wrong, just like it is for us. We don’t want them to fear us; we want them to respect us.”

Rewarding good behavior over bad is the foundation for lasting obedience. “Every time you do [a task], you get rewarded, and you’re going to not want to not do that!” he said. Praise, treats, and affection help reinforce good habits until the behavior becomes second nature.

For Skillet, the greatest reward comes in that moment when it all clicks — when owner and dog finally understand each other. “That’s one of the really cool parts of what I do,” he said. “Getting to see that ‘Aha!’ moment between the handler and their dog.”

Training at VonBernd is truly a family effort. His wife, Shelby, and their two daughters are often right beside him, helping socialize the dogs, greeting clients, or assisting during sessions. Together, the Skillets have created a space that feels less like a training center and more like a community built on trust, patience, and compassion.

Those values are what led Jake to another meaningful part of his work — helping veterans and first responders heal through service dogs.

“Many of the veterans I work with face invisible wounds from their service,” he said. “Depression, anxiety, PTSD — they’ve been through a lot.” According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 18 veterans die by suicide each day — a heartbreaking statistic that fuels Skillet’s mission to make a difference through animal companionship.

“That’s mothers, that’s fathers, aunts, fill in the blank,” he said. “It’s quite the epidemic.”

Skillet worked to found Hounds for Heroes in 2025, a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders coping with the stress and trauma of their service.

Skillet also provides therapy dog training as an added source of comfort for those navigating mental health challenges.
He recalls one veteran in particular, a Vietnam War veteran whose first visits were quiet and tense. Over time, through working with his dog, something shifted.

“They were literally a match made in heaven,” Skillet recalled. “Once those two clicked, it’s been a really cool experience.”

The veteran later told him that his first year with his dog had been the best year of his life. Others have shared similar stories, saying they wouldn’t still be here if not for their dogs. “For the men and women that get through it and come here, if we can give them even a little sense of hope or peace… I’ll take it all day and twice on Sunday.”

For Skillet, training dogs is more than a job. Through his work, he helps establish bonds that change lives, whether it’s between a family and their new puppy or a veteran and their service dog.

“Every breed can really bring something to the table,” he said. “That relationship is possible, and I’m willing to put in the work to help make that connection with every last one of my clients.”

Learn more about service dogs for Veterans and First Responders at houndsforheroes.net.