Paul Lucas Ramirez began his career as a registered nurse in a coronary intensive care unit in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1998. He and his wife Shara began their family there, but moved to the Central Valley of California (where Lucas was raised) in 2001. While continuing his career in critical care, he completed his Master's degree at California State University, Fresno. It was at this time that Lucas and Shara’s youngest of four children was diagnosed with autism. Lucas's exploration of possible treatments led him to a DAN! Conference in the spring of 2007. Inspired by new scientific information, he chose to leave his position as a nurse practitioner with two interventional cardiologists, and accept a position at Thoughtful House; the move offered a chance to help his son, and also an opportunity to help other children and their families who are affected by autism.