"I was a heart-breaker, baby-maker," jokes 66-year-old Anthony Jerone about his teenage days in a rock band in Queens, New York. Life changed drastically in 1968, when, at 19 years old, he was drafted into the army to serve in Vietnam.
This is where he first learnt the trade that would shape the rest of his life: dog training.
"I came back to New York in 1970 and of course, I was always checking up on Willy," says Anthony, who left Willy in Vietnam in the hands of another handler.
"He came back to Georgia in 1975, then he retired, eating all he wanted."
On Anthony's return to New York, his family wanted him to get a city job so that his future would be secure. Dog training could only be a hobby.
"If you’re facing a dog with 42 rounds of pearly whites – that means 42 teeth in his mouth - they’re a little worried about that, because the dog is going to bite without hesitation," says the former subway conductor. "Great deterrent, right?"
At night, Anthony would work on the subways but by day, he would work on dogs. His side business of training four-legged pets was how he came to meet his second wife, Mary.
After retiring from the MTA, Anthony began dedicating his energy to his lifelong passion of working with dogs.
"My name is Anthony, but I'm frank," says the dog trainer. "It's easier to train the dog than it is to train the people." But that hasn't stopped hundreds of eager students, young and old, from across the world knocking on Anthony's door.
"Power is knowledge and knowledge is power," Anthony tells his students. One student who is making good use of Anthony's years of knowledge is his son, Anthony Jr. "He's here because he wants to learn more."
Anthony says, "You have to start as a janitor and work yourself up so he's getting there. One day he’ll be wearing my shoes, hopefully."