Meet Our Shepherds
Guided by Faith. Grounded in Service. United by Purpose.
At Redemption Road K9, leadership is more than a title — it is a calling. Our Shepherds are educators, protectors, and innovators who embody The Shepherd’s Code through every act of stewardship, compassion, and courage. Together, they bridge science and spirit to advance trauma-informed, evidence-based canine programs that serve both people and communities with dignity and purpose.
John Anthony Shahor
Chairman & Chief Visionary Officer, Redemption Road K9; Training Director, LED-21® (La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department); GA‑CERT K9 Handler & Trainer; Program Director, AAI‑21®
John Anthony Shahor is the visionary founder and driving force behind Redemption Road K9. As Chairman and Chief Visionary Officer he guides the organization’s strategy and partnerships, integrating science, faith, and service to build modern canine intervention models.
An experienced educator and operational trainer, John directs the Animal‑Assisted Intervention for the 21st Century (AAI‑21®) program at La Sierra University’s Criminal Justice Department, where he develops curricula that merge criminal justice, behavioral science, and canine‑assisted care. He also serves as Program Director for AAI‑21® and trains with the Georgia Community Emergency Response Team (GA‑CERT K9) as a handler and trainer.
John’s professional qualifications include advanced certifications in Dog Emotion & Cognition and Animal Welfare & Behavior; he is a Certified Trial Decoy, Canine Athlete Advisor (CCAA), and Canine Athlete Specialist (CCAS). He is also certified as a K9‑Medic and licensed by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency as a K9 handler. His expertise encompasses operational K9 deployment, forensic documentation, behavioral rehabilitation, and program development.
Under his leadership, Redemption Road K9 has become a hub for academic partnership and community innovation—preparing handlers and students for careers in K9 operations, search and rescue, veterinary support, and animal‑assisted intervention. John’s work reflects The Shepherd’s Code: strength through humility, authority through service, and wisdom through faith.
Dr. Shirin Shahor, JD, CPA, CIPP
Executive Director of Operations | AAI-21® – La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department | Georgia Community Emergency Response Team (GA-CERT K9) Team President
A Juris Doctor and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with extensive Big Four and Fortune 500 leadership experience, Shirin Shahor brings a rare blend of financial acumen, organizational strategy, and ethical stewardship to RRK9. Her expertise in data governance, regulatory compliance, and operational transformation reinforces RRK9’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and sustainable growth.
As Executive Director of Operations, Shirin oversees cross-program integration, strategic planning, and financial stewardship across RRK9’s national initiatives, including AAI-21®, LED-21®, SAR-21™, and Pawsitive Pathways™. Her ability to turn complex systems into cohesive, mission-driven frameworks ensures that every RRK9 program upholds the organization’s highest standards of care, accountability, and excellence.
A lifelong advocate for professional ethics and innovation, Shirin’s leadership reflects the heart of The Shepherd’s Code — guiding through service, protecting with wisdom, and leading with steadfast humility.
Yrene Ramirez, Shepherd
Chief of Staff | Instructor | AAI-21® – La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department | Georgia Community Emergency Response Team (GA-CERT K9) Forensic Photographer
A first-generation scholar, forensic photographer, and professional canine handler, Yrene Ramirez exemplifies resilience, creativity, and purpose-driven service. She became the first graduate of the Animal-Assisted Intervention for the 21st Century (AAI-21®) Program at La Sierra University — a milestone that now inspires the next generation of justice-involved and trauma-affected students.
As Chief of Staff for the AAI-21® Program, Yrene helps shape the program’s national direction, bridging academic rigor with field-tested compassion. She also serves as a Criminal Justice instructor, bringing her firsthand experience in forensic documentation, victim advocacy, and K9 behavioral science into the classroom and the community.
Her work as a forensic photographer for the Georgia Community Emergency Response Team (GA-CERT K9) underscores her rare ability to combine technical precision with trauma-informed care — using her camera not just to record evidence, but to bear witness to human resilience.
Yrene’s journey embodies the redemptive spirit of RRK9 — proving that education, service, and faith can transform even the hardest paths into lives of purpose and leadership.
Detective Brandon DeCosse
Detective, K9 SWAT Handler, Certified Weapons Instructor; Lead Instructor, Applied K9 Detection & Patrol Operations; Law Enforcement Liaison — AAI‑21® (La Sierra Univ.) & GA‑CERT K9
Detective DeCosse brings decades of tactical K9 and patrol experience to RRK9. A former K9 SWAT handler and certified weapons instructor, he builds fast, scenario‑driven training that combines scentwork, tracking, patrol tactics, and force management. Brandon integrates K9 teams with drone assets for coordinated search, containment, and evidence collection, emphasizing safety, legal compliance, and measurable competency. As Law Enforcement Liaison he aligns training with agency policy, prosecutorial standards, and apprenticeship pathways, forging partnerships across universities, GA‑CERT, and local police. His focus: produce mission‑ready K9 and drone teams, prepare handlers for real operations, and raise professional standards in public safety.
Our Collective Creed
Together, our Shepherds stand as stewards of The Shepherd’s Code:
“To walk humbly, guard what is entrusted to us, and lead not by power, but by faith and care. Strength is patience. Honor is truth. Legacy is trust carried forward.”
Through our united vision, RRK9 continues to advance the global standard for trauma-informed, evidence-based canine intervention — proving that when service is guided by compassion and grounded in faith, both people and dogs can find redemption on the same road.