Erik Rivera is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Weapons and Systems Engineering. He served as a special operations officer in the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, deploying across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. After leaving the military at 29, Erik channeled his service-driven mindset into entrepreneurship—founding CertaPet in 2015 to bridge the gap between mental health care and the people who need it most. Under his leadership, CertaPet has helped over 250,000 individuals secure legally compliant ESA documentation through a nationwide network of licensed therapists.