CALEXICO — Chris Jimenez, a Ok-9 coach and Calexican, didn’t all the time envision a life devoted to saving lives, particularly not these of rhinos in Africa. Reflecting on his journey, Chris recalled his rebellious teenage years.
“I played football, ran track, threw parties. I got into a lot of trouble, a lot of drinking and fighting. My dad said I need to leave Calexico, I joined the Army and that started everything for me.”
From airborne infantry to authorities contracting, Chris discovered himself in a world vastly totally different from the one he left behind in Calexico.
“It’s not something anyone saw in my cards, I used to wear Hollister, pop my collar, I was a strawberry. But once I started to see the world it changed everything.”
A pivotal second occurred when he noticed a working canine in motion.
“In war you see so much chaos and violence, in the midst of all that I see a dog handler play fetch. It’s so pure to see that in the middle of war. That sparked something in me,” Chris mentioned.
He immersed himself in learning and coaching dogs, dedicating the subsequent years to this newfound ardour. Witnessing the tough realities of struggle and poverty, Chris felt a deep accountability to not contribute to the world’s issues.
“I wanted to help the world become a better place with a wagging tail.”
Chris ventured into search-and-rescue operations, detecting human stays, narcotics, and even anti-poaching efforts for rhinos in Africa. His method, emphasizing punishment-free strategies, set him aside.
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Recognizing he wanted a change, Chris returned to Calexico with Xsusha, one of many 50 dogs he rescued from the Ukraine throughout his time there. Upon his return he shared a robust message: there’s extra to life than the slim confines of Calexico. Drawing from his experiences, he urged endurance, advising in opposition to rash selections that hinder future alternatives.
Chris’s imaginative and prescient for Calexico features a pilot program utilizing dogs to have interaction the neighborhood positively. He advocates for increasing horizons by way of training, exploration, and cultural occasions.
In essence, Chris Jimenez’s story is a testomony to transformation. From a troubled teenager in Calexico to a world Ok-9 coach, his journey underscores the potential for change and development when one embraces a broader perspective on life.
This story was shared with the Calexico Chronicle by MiCalexico.
