Saving lives on both ends of the leash, because good vibes save lives.
Honoring those who served
This memorial is one of the many reasons we do what we do. Seeing the name of a friend I served with etched onto a dog tag hanging from this flag shattered me in a way I wasnāt prepared for. I gasped for air, as if all the breath had left my lungs the moment I saw his name. I had to turn away, not wanting my familyāor anyone elseāto see me break as tears streamed down my face. It was a moment I could never walk away from.
This was before my dogās passing, and before I had ever allowed myself to break down like that in front of others. I didnāt yet understand how much grief I had buried, how much pain I had been carrying just to keep moving forward. That moment forced me to stopāand it became the beginning of everything this mission stands for.
April ā My Reason. My Why.
This is my dog, Aprilāthe reason behind everything we do.
She saved my life before becoming one of the 22 a day. Her love became a legacyāone that now lives on through our mission to give shelter dogs second chances and to shine a light on veterans with PTSD and mental health awareness.
Fighting against animal cruelty
Fighting for Those Who Canāt Fight Back We stand up for animals who have no voiceāworking hand in hand with shelters to fund life-saving surgeries, help transport animals to safe, loving homes, and give them the care they deserve. We believe awareness saves lives. By shedding light on cruelty and neglect, we hope to open hearts, inspire action, and empower others to speak up for those who cannot. If you see something, say somethingābecause every voice matters.
Helping shelter dogs find their new homes before itās too late.
Reaching out to our local community by planning events and working together to bring more awareness to shelter dogsāwhile opening peopleās eyes to just how amazing these dogs truly are.
Supporting Service Dog Programs That Serve Our Veterans
Inspired by April before she passed, I began volunteering with the veterans program at Big Dog Ranch Rescue. It was there that I discovered a passion I never knew I had. After Aprilās passing, I joined the program myself with one of my dogs, Max, eventually becoming a program alumni. Along the way, I also helped bring a VA programāB.A.R.C.āto life, supporting it from the very beginning and helping turn the vision into a reality.
The Story Behind the Mission and the Strength to Share It
What began as a story I shared with only a handful of people is now one Iām sharing with the worldāand it has never been comfortable. Even today, telling it still feels vulnerable, and some days it feels like I share it over and over again.
But I was once told that courage isnāt the absence of fearāitās doing something even when youāre terrified. Someone also told me that sharing the story of the mountain youāve climbed can become someone elseās survival guide. That stayed with me.
So I continue to tell my story, not because itās easy, and not because itās about meābut because itās bigger than me. And if sharing it can help even one person find strength, hope, or a reason to keep going, then itās something I will keep doing.