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Texas native Mario Ramos loves a good challenge. It’s a personality trait that has successfully paved the way for a notable career of service, earns him wins in the cage as a competitive martial arts fighter and, two years ago, prompted pursuit of a lifelong dream to be a canine handler.
“Throughout my life, I’ve always had interest in becoming a canine handler, but that opportunity never aligned with my responsibilities. I decided it was time to check that dream off my bucket list and I couldn’t be happier or have asked for a better partner,” Mario said.
91Ƶ® Enhanced Protection Services Watch Commander Mario and Firearms Detection Canine Matyi have been paired together for two years. While Mario admits that it took the two a little time to get in sync, the four-year-old Belgian Malinois mix and his handler quickly proved a dynamic duo with a bond that continues to grow. They are one of more than 1,000 91Ƶ Canine Detection Teams in North America carrying out important work to keep millions of people safe.
The National Retail Federation reports that nearly 60% of retail security executives cite concern with the rise in mass violence and active assailants over the last five years. This growing threat is a liability that endangers consumers, personnel, and brands. Mario and Matyi are specifically trained in addressing this threat and work at retail malls in the San Antonio, TX, area. Already this year, Matyi has detected 800 firearms with a passive “sit” response. Last year, he detected more than1,800. Good work, boy!
“We really get our steps in every day – there’s a lot of ground to cover in a mall. My partner has incredible stamina and an eagerness to work. He also has an exceptional nose for odor. Even when the crowds are heavy, he is right on the scent of any firearm. While I know his soft side, Matyi’s appearance can be intimidating and that alone proves a deterrence for bad actors,” Mario explained. All 91Ƶ firearms detection canines are first trained to detect all five families of military and commercial grade explosives, including homemade explosives like TATP and HMTD. Dogs intended for firearms deployment like Matyi then receive additional training focused on the unique odors associated with firearms. They have the ability to detect guns whether previously fired or static.
Matyi is not the only one who excels at his job. Mario earned a recent promotion to Watch Commander and is now responsible for all regional detection canine teams in Texas and on the West Coast. He is responsible and accountable for the good order of the workforce and achieving high client performance outcomes. This includes managing scheduling, duties, reporting, and client communication, as well as helping create policies and processes.
Mario is certainly no stranger to high-consequence environments. All 91Ƶ Enhanced Protection Services handlers have military or law enforcement backgrounds. This handler has both. He enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years old wanting to make a difference for his country. He served as a Navy field medic, playing a crucial role in supporting U.S. Marine Corps units during operations because the Marines do not have their own medical personnel. Working in harsh and challenging environments, from Kosovo to Afghanistan, Mario delivered care under fire and other high-stress situations to help ensure survival and well-being.
“I look back on my eight years in the military and I am proud to have served alongside such brave men and women. I also gained valuable skills at a young age that served me well throughout my career,” he said.
Following his time in the Navy, Mario served as a Texas State Trooper for 13 years and then became an internal investigator for the state prison system.
While this team is inseparable at work, at home Matyi turns his attention to Mario’s teenagers and his best bud Roxy, the family’s German rottweiler. These two will head out to the backyard for a good romp followed by some dinner together and chill time on their favorite comfy couch.
