We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chris Ramirez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chris, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I found my purpose with training dogs back in 2015 when I joined a Veterans Service Dog community that helped me go through training with a dog that they paired me up with. My dog Korra, and I went through roughly 1 and 1/2 of training to be certified together. Throughout that time, Korra has taught me so much about myself that I didn’t know I truly struggled with. Taught me patience, self control, mind over matter, love, and provided me a lot of motivation. After completing our training, I decided to become a dog trainer to help train veterans bond with their service dogs and to do advanced training. To experience the feeling and drive that Korra helped me with.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a dog obedience behaviorist and trainer, and the proud founder of Cosmo K9 Obedience. My journey into dog training began in 2015, not just as a career decision, but as a deeply personal chapter in my life. I had recently joined a Veterans Service Dog community, where I was paired with a dog named Korra. We went through about a year and a half of intensive training to become a certified team—but what I gained went far beyond a certification.
Korra helped me in ways I didn’t know I needed. As a Marine who had been deployed, I was carrying the invisible weight of combat-related PTSD. Korra became more than a service dog—she became my partner in healing. Through our training, she helped me manage symptoms I had struggled with in silence. She taught me patience, self-control, discipline, mind-over-matter, and how to love again. She grounded me, motivated me, and gave me the clarity to realize that if she could help me this much, I wanted to help others experience the same transformation.
That’s when I found my purpose: to become a dog trainer and behaviorist so I could help other veterans bond with their service dogs, and to offer advanced training for dogs with behavioral challenges. Today, through Cosmo K9 Obedience, I specialize in behavioral transformation and obedience training, especially for dogs that have been through trauma or who others may have given up on. I believe deeply that every dog—just like every person—deserves a chance to overcome their struggles and live a full, joyful life.
What makes my work special is the emotional connection I build with every dog I train. I don’t just correct behaviors—I strive to understand what each dog is feeling and what they’re trying to communicate. That connection is where true transformation begins.
As Cosmo K9 Obedience continues to grow, my goal is to expand our services—especially to better serve the veteran community—and to create a business that allows me more time with my family, who remain my strongest source of motivation.
I want people to know that this isn’t just a job for me—it’s a calling. My work is rooted in passion, empathy, and a profound respect for the healing power of the human-animal bond. Every dog has a story, and every dog deserves a chance to thrive.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been patience, empathy, and resilience.
Patience taught me that real change—whether in dogs or ourselves—takes time. Progress isn’t instant, but consistency and calm leadership go a long way.
Empathy helped me truly connect with the dogs I work with, especially those dealing with trauma. Understanding what they’re feeling is key to helping them heal—and the same goes for people.
Resilience carried me through the tough days. As a Marine dealing with combat PTSD, I’ve had to rebuild from the inside out. That strength now helps me lead and support others through their own challenges.
Advice for anyone starting out: Be consistent, lead with compassion, and don’t give up when it gets hard. Your struggles can shape your greatest strengths—and your purpose might just be waiting on the other side of them.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The biggest influences in helping me overcome challenges and grow into the man I am today have been my wife and my son. Being a husband and father has completely reshaped how I view responsibility, patience, and purpose. My wife has been my steady support through everything—encouraging me, keeping me grounded, and believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. And my son has taught me to lead by example, to be present, and to always strive to be better—not just as a trainer, but as a man and a father.
They’ve given me a reason to push forward and build something lasting. Every decision I make in my business and life is with them in mind.
Of course, Korra, my service dog, also played a major role early on—helping me manage my combat PTSD and teaching me a lot about self-discipline and emotional growth. But the daily motivation and support from my family is what keeps me going and helps me show up fully in all areas of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cosmok9obedience.com
- Instagram: @CosmoK9Obedience
- Facebook: CosmoK9Obedience
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/cosmo-k9-obedience-escondido
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
