Jay Nix & K9 Drago
Ridgeside K9 Central Florida, Owner
K9s United President
For more than 25 years, Jay Nix has dedicated his life to serving others, not simply through the training of exceptional law enforcement K9 teams, but by developing the people who lead them.
After retiring from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in Ocala, Florida, Jay concluded a distinguished career that included service as a Patrol K9 Handler, Highway Criminal Interdiction Commander, Narcotics Task Force member, K9 Trainer, Instructor, Evaluator, and K9 Unit Commander. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation for building capable teams, mentoring future leaders, and helping shape one of Florida’s premier law enforcement K9 programs.
As a nationally recognized instructor and evaluator, Jay has trained hundreds of Law Enforcement K9 teams representing agencies throughout the United States. His instruction combines decades of operational experience with practical, results-driven methods that prepare handlers and their dogs for the realities of the job. While his technical expertise has earned him respect within the profession, those who have trained alongside him often speak first about his willingness to invest in people long after the course has ended. To Jay, mentorship has never been an obligation, it has always been part of the mission.
That same commitment to service continues today through his role as President of K9s United.
Working alongside founder Debbie Johnson, Jay helps lead a national organization dedicated to protecting and supporting the Law Enforcement K9 community through advanced training, lifesaving equipment, legislative advocacy, and strategic partnerships. He believes every investment entrusted to the organization represents an opportunity to strengthen the safety, preparedness, and effectiveness of the officers and K9s who faithfully serve communities across the country.
In addition to his nonprofit leadership, Jay is the owner of Ridgeside K9 Central Florida, where he leads a team committed to helping families develop reliable, well-balanced dogs while building confident, knowledgeable owners. Whether working with a first-time pet owner or an experienced Law Enforcement Handler, his philosophy remains consistent: lasting success begins by developing the person holding the leash.
Throughout every chapter of his career, one principle has remained unchanged: leadership is measured less by position than by service. Jay believes the greatest legacy anyone can leave is not found in personal accomplishments, but in the lives they influence, the leaders they develop, and the organizations they leave stronger than they found them.
His Christian faith serves as the foundation for that philosophy. It shapes the way he leads, the way he serves, and the way he approaches every opportunity to make a difference. Whether mentoring a young handler, helping an organization grow, or supporting a family through one of life’s challenges, Jay strives to lead with integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to serve others.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Jay continues to invest his time and experience into the profession that has given him so much. His mission is simple: to honor God by serving people well, developing leaders of character, and strengthening the communities they are called to protect.
