About Me

From the Military to Madison Avenue

After serving in the U.S. Army with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) from 1989 to 1992, I fell in love with structure, discipline, and mission-driven work—skills that infuse everything I do today.

I’m proudly veteran‑owned, and I bring that same commitment to every project I take on.

After completing my time in the Army, I began my journey in advertising by attending the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Eventually, I relocated to New York City to pursue a career in the creative industry.

For over 20 years, I worked on Madison Avenue, leading creative campaigns for Fortune 500 brands such as American Express, Dell, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, and Nokia — starting in direct marketing and then moving into digital and global brand platforms.

A Dog Named Cheddar Changed Everything

Cheddar was my spirited, leash-reactive rescue, and like many trainers, he became that one dog who pushed me to learn more. Working with him led me to foster dogs, volunteer at adoption events, and eventually pursue professional training at Starmark Academy, where I became a Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist.

That’s when I realized: dog training is about more than obedience. It’s about closing the communication gap between people and their dogs — a phrase every trainer knows well. Cheddar passed away from cancer far too young, but he remains my heart dog and my biggest teacher.

Bridging the Gap — Again

After launching my own dog training and brand, Canine Cohen, I found myself helping fellow trainers with their websites, messaging, and marketing.

Now, following a cancer diagnosis of my own, I’ve returned to my creative roots — combining decades of ad world experience with the power of AI to help dog trainers grow their businesses.

That’s why I started K9 Cohen Creative:

To help dog trainers close the communication gap with their audience, just like we do with the dogs we train.