Jonathan’s Journey Through Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy

From Soldier to Stylist

“Joybound gave me the tools and the confidence to keep growing — and to keep giving back.”

When Jonathan first heard about Joybound People & Pets’ Engelstad Grooming Academy, he wasn’t looking for a career change — just a chance to combine his love of animals with his lifelong commitment to service. A U.S. Army Veteran who served eight years as a light infantry medic, Jonathan is no stranger to hard work or heart-driven missions. After the military, he explored several paths from dive technician and hull cleaner to licensed massage therapist — but when he stumbled upon Joybound’s booth during a Veterans’ job fair, something clicked. 

“I was working at the event representing a military support group,” Jonathan recalls. “Someone mentioned the Grooming Academy, and I’ve always loved animals. Within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled.” 

Finding Purpose in Every Paw 

Jonathan joined one of Joybound’s first Grooming Academy cohorts, eager to learn the art and science of professional pet grooming. Although he had already worked in a salon as a bather and brusher, Joybound’s hands-on training gave him new confidence and a deeper understanding of animal behavior. “The Fear Free approach we learned here completely changed the way I handle dogs,” Jonathan says. “It’s not just about grooming — it’s about creating trust. Now, every dog I see turns my head. I think about how to approach them calmly, how to make them feel safe. That’s Joybound’s influence.” 

From wrangling five fluffy Great Pyrenees puppies to studying grooming patterns by breed, Jonathan poured himself into learning. He became known among instructors for his curiosity and dedication — often borrowing textbooks to read at home and returning with thoughtful questions. “Jonathan takes the time to understand the ‘why’ behind every skill,” noted Uziel Acosta, Grooming Academy manager at Joybound. “He’s open-minded, disciplined, and motivated — traits that definitely come from his military background.” 

A Career That Travels 

Now a proud graduate of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy, Jonathan is taking his skills on the road — quite literally. He plans to launch a part-time mobile grooming business while continuing his work as a professional diver and hull cleaner in the Bay Area and beyond. 

“I’m going to be traveling for work — diving, grooming, maybe even spending time in Denver or Hawaii,” he says with a smile. “I like being diversified in the things I love doing.” Jonathan also plans to return to the salon he worked at in San Francisco, this time with a new title: professional groomer. “When I first worked there, I told them I wasn’t a groomer,” he laughs. “Now I can say, ‘Yes, I am. I trained at Joybound.’” 

Building Confidence, One Clip at a Time 

For Jonathan, Joybound was more than a classroom. It was a community that recognized his potential and helped shape his next chapter. “The staff and instructors are amazing,” he says. “They’re knowledgeable, compassionate, and patient. I’ve already recommended the program to other Veterans.” 

From military medic to animal caretaker, Jonathan’s story reflects the spirit of Joybound’s Engelstad Grooming Academy: opening doors, building skills, and creating careers that strengthen the human-animal bond. As Jonathan puts it, “Joybound gave me the tools and the confidence to keep growing — and to keep giving back.” 

Note: This article was featured in our monthly eNewsletter. You can receive stories like this, along with other exciting updates about Joybound’s programs for pets and people, by signing up to be added to our email lists.