About Us

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Eric is a U.S. Army veteran, professional dog trainer, and founder of The Battleforged Foundation and Forged Canine Academy. Calm under pressure, focused on mission, and grounded in purpose, Eric has dedicated his work to helping others rebuild confidence, structure, and direction in their lives.

After his military service, Eric lost several brothers-in-arms to suicide. Those losses didn’t come all at once, but each one reinforced a hard truth: when the structure, mission, and brotherhood of the military are gone, many veterans are left without the support system they once relied on. That realization became the foundation for The Battleforged Foundation—an organization built to restore purpose, rebuild community, and provide practical paths forward for veterans and their families.

The foundation’s spark came from Whiskey, a Miniature Schnauzer Eric trained as a service dog. During a visit with a former squadmate, Eric watched Whiskey naturally de-escalate and calm him in a moment of stress. That moment clarified the path forward and inspired the foundation’s first program. Today, Whiskey’s silhouette remains a symbol of that mission.

To ensure that vision is supported by real-world execution, Eric founded Forged Canine Academy, a professional dog training company serving the Dallas Fort Worth area. Through FCA, he works directly with dogs and their owners, specializing in behavior modification, obedience, and building reliable, real-world performance. Eric is a graduate of the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy Master Program, holds certifications through AKC and Fear Free, and is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

This hands-on work directly supports and informs The Battleforged Foundation’s service dog initiatives. Eric’s focus is not just on training dogs, but on developing dependable partnerships—giving veterans a stable, capable companion they can rely on in everyday life.

Through The Battleforged Foundation, Eric is building a comprehensive support system for veterans and their families, including service dog access, physical fitness and wellness, career readiness, housing stability, and peer-based support rooted in shared experience.

Eric lives in Texas with his family and his dogs, Valkyrie and Whiskey. Whether working with clients, training dogs, or building programs for veterans, his mission remains the same: forge stronger individuals, stronger teams, and a renewed sense of purpose.

At the core of his work is a simple belief—no one heals alone. Progress is built through structure, support, and shared mission, just like in the service. That’s why The Battleforged Foundation lives by the motto:

Forged Together.

It isn’t just a motto—it’s the way forward, a reminder that whatever comes next, no veteran—and no family—has to face it alone. 

Desiree is the heart behind the scenes at The Battleforged Foundation. A proud military spouse with years of experience in people-centered retail and visual merchandising, Desiree brings compassion, creativity, and connection to everything she does.

She coordinates events, manages outreach, and builds relationships that keep the community strong. Whether she’s planning a gathering, supporting veterans and their families, or reinforcing service dog training with Valkyrie and Whiskey, Desiree leads with a bubbly warmth and a nurturing presence.

Her passion comes from lived experience—knowing firsthand that the real battle often begins after the uniform comes off. She’s seen how the transition back to civilian life can leave veterans and their loved ones feeling lost, isolated, or unheard. That’s why she shows up, listens, and creates spaces where people feel seen, supported, and never alone.

To Desiree, mental health is the foundation—but healing happens in layers. Her approach is simple: be kind, build community, and never underestimate the power of showing up for someone when they need it most.

Family is at the center of her world—and through Battleforged, she’s helping others find that same sense of belonging. 

Uriah comes from a family with a proud tradition of military service. His brother, uncle, grandfather, cousin, and several close friends have all served in the armed forces, and their experiences left a lasting impression on him. Seeing the challenges many of them faced when transitioning back to civilian life inspired Uriah to take action and dedicate himself to supporting veterans during that critical period.

Professionally, Uriah has built a strong career in asset protection, loss prevention, and physical security across both retail and warehouse settings. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and has spent years focused on protecting people, property, and processes—skills that translate naturally into his passion for helping others build safer, more stable lives.

Outside of work, Uriah is deeply committed to personal growth and balance. He pursues physical fitness, enjoys reading, and values quality time with his wife and their two bunnies. His compassion extends beyond people to animals as well, and he has always felt a strong sense of purpose in giving back to both.

The decision to help found a nonprofit supporting veterans isn’t just a professional endeavor for Uriah—it’s personal. It reflects his values, his family legacy, and his belief that those who have served deserve respect, resources, and support as they reintegrate into civilian life.