Meet the heart of Cosmos Working Dogs

With over two decades of expertise in professional dog training across Europe and the USA, Eleni serves as the Co-Founder and Executive Training Director of Cosmos Working Dogs, working closely alongside Co-Founder and CEO, Karen Shirk, to establish Cosmos as an internationally recognized service dog agency. Based in Los Angeles, Eleni is poised to elevate Cosmos to new heights, expanding its client and donor bases.

Eleni is a certified animal trainer and behaviorist with a diverse background in applied ethology, animal Reiki, and therapeutic support. Her credentials include certifications from the National K-9 Academy in Columbus, OH, as well as the Ethology Institute, with additional international recognitions in canine ethology, animal healing, and pet bereavement counseling. Eleni completed her specialized service dog training with 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, OH, before founding her own organization, Nina Service Dogs, in Greece.

Eleni’s training expertise spans a variety of populations, with a primary focus on children but also working with adults with disabilities. She has also made impactful contributions in eldercare, designing therapeutic sessions that support socialization and mental stimulation for individuals with dementia. Her collaborative work with non-profit organizations, such as Ippostirixi, which provides therapeutic horse training for children with disabilities, reflects her commitment to animal-assisted therapy. In addition to individual and group sessions, Eleni coordinates educational events featuring dog performances and raises awareness about service dog initiatives through media platforms in Greece.

Fluent in both Greek and English, Eleni is an active member of international and EU-level associations, combining her knowledge of animal behavior with her training in music and theatre to create dynamic, therapeutic experiences. Her holistic approach to animal care and support has earned her several awards for contributions to social welfare. Passionate, compassionate, and innovative, Eleni is dedicated to transforming lives through her work at Cosmos Working Dogs.

Karen has been deeply involved in the service dog community since 1998 when he founded 4 Paws For Ability. What began in a one-bedroom apartment grew into a multimillion-dollar facility with over 70 staff members and an annual operating budget of $6 million. At 4 Paws, he oversaw the training and placement of over 1500 service dogs. After 25 years as the founder and CEO of 4 Paws, he transitioned into retirement. He began pursuing a Visual Communications degree at Sinclair Community College to assist small nonprofits and businesses owned by marginalized individuals with their marketing efforts.

However, when Elena approached him to co-found an international working dog organization, he realized how invaluable these new skills could be in his most passionate field—matching service dogs with those in need, one dog at a time.

He currently resides in Xenia, Ohio, with two of his four internationally adopted children, including one with autism. As a trans-masc leaning individual who uses he/him pronouns, he is actively engaged in the Dayton queer community, serving on the PFLAG Board and being a member of the LGBTQ Alliance. He firmly believes in giving back as a way to lead a fulfilling life and is excited to continue making a difference in the lives of others.

Irene is a professional with over 35 years of top management experience in the international banking sector. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held executive roles at leading financial institutions like Citibank, where she was instrumental in steering strategic initiatives, overseeing retail operations, and driving profitability. Her expertise in banking spans areas such as retail banking, risk management, and network expansion, making her a respected figure in the industry. Irene’s leadership has been recognized for fostering innovation, enhancing operational efficiencies, and navigating complex regulatory environments in Europe and the United States.  

In addition to her banking career, Irene has significant experience in the real estate industry. She has been involved in the development and management of real estate projects. Her contributions to the sector include advising on commercial and residential developments and guiding real estate financing and asset management strategies. Irene’s dual expertise in banking and real estate has allowed her to create synergies between the two fields, delivering substantial value to the organizations she has worked with.  

Going beyond her corporate roles, Irene has also served as a consultant to various international organizations. Her insights and strategic guidance, shaped by her global perspective, have been sought after by foundations and NGOs. Her consulting work has taken her to different parts of the world, where she has contributed with her knowledge and skills in many different ways.

Megan grew up in the northwest Chicago suburbs and moved to Dayton with her family in 2001, drawn by the opportunity to buy a house and settle down. Since then, she has been involved with SICSA, fostering dogs, including a pair of bottle babies, which was a rewarding experience. Growing up, her family always had dogs, usually big ones, but she is adding a Papillon to her home next week! 

She's always enjoyed watching dog competitions like conformation and agility. Now, as an empty-nester working from home as a Senior Software Engineer, she's excited about having a pup to keep her company. Her 8-year-old granddaughter is also thrilled about adding a 4 Paws Piper's Legacy Papillon and will be an eager socializing partner. Did you know that this is where Cosmos Working Dogs obtains their Papillons? 

As both a professional and amateur geek, she spends her days immersed in technology and her free time indulging in geeky interests like Harry Potter and Irish/Celtic culture. She loves helping people and is eager to join an organization that gives back to the community. She's looking forward to being a part of Cosmos Working Dogs!

Jenny Daws, a Dayton native, currently serves as the Marketing Manager for Creek Technologies, a local contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Her passion for service dogs ignited in 2011 when she partnered with Karen Shirk. Jenny took on the role of staff advisor at Wright State University, guiding students as they socialized Karen's service dogs in training. This experience led her to start socializing the dogs herself. In 2020-2021, Jenny had the opportunity to work directly under Karen, further deepening her connection to the mission. Although she eventually returned to CreekTech, her heart remains devoted to these extraordinary dogs and the families they serve.

In her personal time, Jenny enjoys expressing her creativity in her sewing room and stays busy with her own little pack of four beautiful Papillons—Jett, Chaser, Yeti, and Poppin, affectionately known as the "TinyHerd"—all from Karen's breeding program, 4 Paws Piper's Legacy Papillons.

Rosemary is a dedicated single mother of two adopted children from California, both of whom were eventually diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) after years of misdiagnoses. Her son is now 25, and her daughter, who has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), the most severe form of FASD, is 21. Before adopting her children, Rosemary also fostered two newborns and a toddler.

Once she understood the challenges her children faced, Rosemary immersed herself in FASD education, attending numerous training sessions and conferences. She also joined a support group in Los Angeles, where she was invited to serve on the board of the FASD Network of Southern California from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, Rosemary and her family relocated to Northeast Florida due to extended family illness. Shortly after their move, the pandemic hit, marking an unforgettable introduction to their new home state. During the lockdown, she connected with The Florida Center support group and was offered a position in their FASD clinic in November 2023.

Rosemary's early retirement to care for her children, which became a full-time commitment, is now behind her. She uses her knowledge and experience to support families in Florida who are seeking answers and appropriate diagnoses for FASD.

In 2013, Rosemary was urgently searching for help for her children when she learned that service dogs could support children with FASD. In 2015, Ned, a large Goldendoodle, joined the family as an FASD assistance dog. Ned accompanied her daughter to school, making middle school her best years thanks to his calming presence. In 2016, Raven, a Golden Lab, joined the family to assist her teenage son, significantly improving what can often be challenging years for adolescents with FASD. In 2020, Rosemary added Aponi, a spirited Papillon, to the family as her own companion. Despite her small size, Aponi quickly took charge of the household.

Rosemary is passionate about educational and FASD advocacy. Having experienced firsthand the challenges in her children’s special education, she became their advocate by mastering special education law. Notably, her family was the first to have a service dog attend school, a milestone achieved without conflict. Her administrative skills, honed during 29 years of work at a large California university, coupled with her dedication to FASD and educational advocacy, have led her to a fulfilling role in volunteering.