<div>My name is Brandon, and for far too long, I’ve been getting in my own way.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I’m not sure why — but I’ve been holding back from fully chasing what I’m about to unfold for you. I operate a modest small business rooted in service to shelter dogs. Margins are thin, the days are long, and after nearly a decade, the impact has proven to be invaluable to shelters and clients alike.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>As we roll into 2026, I want to finally share this vision openly — in hopes of finding the right people who rock with it and want to see it come to life.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>If you’re still reading, I invite you to find a seat, get comfortable, and learn what’s been keeping me up at night for the last 24 months.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>The Belief That Started It All</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>For the past several years, my life and work have revolved around one simple belief:

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Dogs deserve happier, healthier, more active lives — no matter where they come from or who owns them.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That belief led me to RunBuddy Mobile, the world’s first and number one mobile dog gym, providing structured exercise, enrichment, and confidence-building for dogs — including shelter and rescue dogs who otherwise wouldn’t have access to such an outlet.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>After six years working alongside the founders in Arizona, I brought RunBuddy to the Lone Star State.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>In just the last nine months, I’ve provided over $35,000 worth of services completely free of charge to shelters and rescue organizations, including Central Texas SPCA, Austin Humane Society, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, and Austin Pets Alive!

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This support isn’t occasional — it’s built directly into our weekly operations.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Before Texas, this mission was already well underway.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>RunBuddy Mobile has supported shelter and rescue dogs in Arizona for over eight years, using structured weekly workouts to improve quality of life, increase adoptability, and help dogs succeed both inside and outside the mobile dog gym.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Now, that same belief — backed by nearly a decade of real, hands-on impact — is evolving into something bigger.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>A One-Man Operation — And the Schedule I’m Working Toward</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Since arriving in Texas, RunBuddy has been operating largely as a one-man show.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Most days start around 5:00 AM and end close to 7:00 PM, often six days a week, driving from client to client. While it would be possible to fill every available time slot with paid sessions, I’ve intentionally operated at approximately 65–75% paid capacity.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong><em>Why?</em></strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>So I can:

</div>

<div>	•	Provide consistent, reliable support to shelter and rescue partners

</div>

<div>	•	Protect the quality of care every dog receives

</div>

<div>	•	Reduce burnout and keep this work sustainable long-term

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That choice has allowed RunBuddy to show up week after week for shelters — but it has also meant growth has been slow, careful, and entirely self-funded.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That said, this current schedule is not the end goal.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>What the Ideal Future Actually Looks Like</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>My ideal schedule doesn’t involve being on the road all day, six days a week.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Instead, I envision spending four to five days per week, six to eight hours a day, embedded directly at our shelter partners — working hands-on with staff, volunteers, and dogs.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That shift would allow me to:

</div>

<div>	•	Help significantly more dogs each day

</div>

<div>	•	Be a more valuable on-site resource for shelter teams

</div>

<div>	•	Provide consistent structure and enrichment where it’s needed most

</div>

<div>	•	Reduce wear and tear on the dog gym itself

</div>

<div>	•	Spend more time at home with my family

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The example I always give is this:

</div>

<div>If I were a roofer and started my own company, the long-term goal wouldn’t be to stay on the roof forever.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>With the dog gym, however, there’s no world where I’m not working in the gym in some capacity — and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>But focusing my time at shelters allows me to fulfill my purpose without burning myself out, while also creating space to care for my family, take care of myself, and eventually reconnect with passions and hobbies I’ve set aside in pursuit of making this dream real.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Why Experience Matters (And Why This Is Hard to Replicate)</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Over the past six years, as RunBuddy gained popularity on social media, many have attempted to replicate the mobile dog gym concept.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Most launched with the best intentions.

</div>

<div>Many came and went.

</div>

<div>Few — if any — have scaled across multiple gyms and markets.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The reality is this work is far more complex than it looks.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Running a successful mobile dog gym requires:

</div>

<div>	•	Deep understanding of canine behavior

</div>

<div>	•	Skill working with dogs of all temperaments and histories

</div>

<div>	•	Operational discipline around routing, scheduling, and sustainability

</div>

<div>	•	Systems that protect dogs, clients, shelters, and staff

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>If success were as simple as putting money into vans and sending them on the road, someone with deeper pockets would have done it already — and left us in their wake.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong><em>But money can’t replace experience.</em></strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>What allows RunBuddy to succeed isn’t just the concept — it’s the years of refinement, mistakes already made, lessons learned, and grit earned along the way.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I’m in a unique position to carry this forward — with the experience, passion, and resilience to scale responsibly while protecting dogs and the mission.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The only real limitation is access to capital without taking on traditional debt that drastically eats into already-thin margins.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Introducing the Church of UpDog</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The Church of UpDog is a mission-driven initiative built around the pursuit of canine wellness, movement, and quality of life — for dogs and people.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Despite the playful name, the mission is serious:

</div>

<div>	•	Support shelters and rescues

</div>

<div>	•	Fund routine movement and enrichment

</div>

<div>	•	Help dogs stay out of shelters — and get adopted faster

</div>

<div>	•	Connect people through the love of Dog

</div>

<div>	•	Improve mental and physical health

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Our goal is to formally establish the Church of UpDog as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so supporters can soon enjoy the benefits associated with charitable giving while knowing their contributions are fueling meaningful, measurable impact.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The Church of UpDog already has its bylaws drafted and an independent board structure in place, with officer and director roles filled. To avoid any real or perceived conflicts of interest, I will not serve in any decision-making role — ensuring transparency, accountability, and mission-first governance from day one.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Why This Fundraiser Matters — and Why It’s Different</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This GoFundMe campaign is the first step in a much larger expansion effort.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The long-term vision is to build and operate 15+ mobile dog gyms across Texas, representing an investment of approximately $975,000. This expansion is not meant to create dependency on donations — it’s meant to eliminate it.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Once operational, each mobile dog gym:

</div>

<div>	•	Serves 30–60 household clients, dramatically improving dogs’ quality of life

</div>

<div>	•	Generates consistent earned revenue through paid services

</div>

<div>	•	Uses that revenue to continually support shelter and rescue dogs

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>In other words:

</div>

<div>	•	Client revenue becomes the fuel that funds shelter impact

</div>

<div>	•	Donor dollars help build the engine — not keep it running forever

</div>

<div>	•	Monthly operating expenses are reduced by avoiding long-term debt (aside from van financing)

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>When all 15+ gyms are operating, the system becomes largely self-sustaining, allowing shelters to receive more ongoing support — for free.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Where Expansion Fits In</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Time spent at shelters also creates the perfect environment to train and mentor new coaches operating the other dog gyms.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>If funds are raised to support the first five mobile dog gyms, that milestone would allow me to step away from full-time, day-to-day road operations — not away from the mission, but into a more impactful role.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>From there, my time off the road would be used to:

</div>

<div>	•	Support shelter dogs directly

</div>

<div>	•	Train and support new coaches

</div>

<div>	•	Guide continued expansion of RunBuddy Mobile

</div>

<div>	•	Build the Church of UpDog into a sustainable, long-term force for good

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This is how the work becomes bigger than one person, without losing its heart.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That’s the model.

</div>

<div>That’s the goal.

</div>

<div>That’s why this first fundraiser matters so much.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Fundraising Goal</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Raise $25,000

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This initial campaign is about momentum and proof of belief.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Funds raised will help:

</div>

<div>	•	Establish the Church of UpDog as a nonprofit entity

</div>

<div>	•	Launch formal fundraising and outreach efforts

</div>

<div>	•	Expand RunBuddy Mobile into additional Texas communities

</div>

<div>	•	Cover early startup costs for additional mobile dog gyms

</div>

<div>	•	Continue free or sponsored sessions for shelter and rescue dogs

</div>

<div>	•	Demonstrate grassroots support to larger donors and sponsors

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>This campaign shows the movement already has a loyal base of supporters who believe in both the work and the long-term vision.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div><strong>Why This Matters Now</strong>

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Over 60% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese.

</div>

<div>Over 90% demonstrate at least one behavioral concern.

</div>

<div>Shelters are overcrowded.

</div>

<div>Rescues are stretched thin.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Too many dogs lack proper movement, stimulation, and fulfillment — not because people don’t care, but because resources are limited.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>The Church of UpDog builds on:

</div>

<div>	•	$35,000+ in free services already provided in Texas

</div>

<div>	•	8+ years of shelter support in Arizona

</div>

<div>	•	A proven, experience-driven model built to last

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Your support helps transform proven impact into a scalable, nonprofit-backed, self-sustaining force for good across Texas.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>⸻

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>How You Can Help

</div>

<div>	•	Donate, if you’re able

</div>

<div>	•	Share this page, even if you can’t donate

</div>

<div>	•	Follow @RunBuddyAustin and @ChurchOfUpDog on Instagram to watch this foundation take shape

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Every contribution builds momentum.

</div>

<div>And momentum can make or break the execution of this mission.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>With every fiber of my being, thank you for believing in Dog, community, and the idea that movement can change lives.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>That’s what’s Updog,

</div>

<div>Brandon 

</div>

Ashley Mayle

Christina Smith

Sarah Barlow

Anonymous

Danielle Smith

Bella Barna

debbie ebbitt

Roxy Dugger

ana duran

Genevieve Davis

Help Change Shelter Dogs’ Lives with The Church of Updog ⛪️

Support urgent earthquake relief and past recovery in Venezuela.

Apoya la ayuda urgente tras el terremoto y los esfuerzos de recuperación en Venezuela.

platform

Platform is iOS

Android

Adyen Google Pay Development Audience

$opt_dummy_attribute

English only

Deprecate Stripe Legacy

dyn_template_ids

Adyen V6 Bene Transfer & MyMoney Campaign Organizers - test01

Bene transfer V6 and AdyenV6MyMoney Campaign Organizers - production

OneTrust next-app audience

fundCountryCode

NextDoor Share Option Users

Fundraisers with Reactions feature capability

fundCurrencyCode

US + Non-charity COs Only

locale

fund country is US and user language is English

personId

comms-internal-person-ids

Enhanced Story Experience Users

Suggested Goal Experience Users

user language is English and fund country: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

Poster share - new funds eligible (newest 9/18)

Streaming widgets beta user

paymentProcessor

3DS payment method

user language is English and fundCountry: US, AU, DK, FI, IE, NO, SE, CA, GB; 

currencyCode

Money Box Donation List Prompt Experiment Audience

GoFundMe Employees

ipAddress

Mark Rieth IP Address

Version 9.2.0 and above

Fund is in English speaking country

desktop

Android v12.11.0 and above

Platform is Android

paymentMethodType

checkoutType

Payment method type group to be vaulted on success

admin pr kit prod

EUR Donation Upsell

Share Text generation Skip Fundraiser

(prod) new funds eligible for amp12 (UGC gallery)

fintrac_cad_idv_form_v2 audience

paymentProcessorAccountId

fallback mode accounts

proCampaignId

p2p legacy startfundraising page

AMP24 New Funds Only PROD (DO NOT MODIFY)

Eligible for Profile Share Badge

countryCode

charityId

UKCharities

Federated Search Internal Testing

route.pathname community

US Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks Feature Audience

International Only

fundId

braze fundraiser group 

Payment Identity Transfers ATO Risk Check (Targeted) - Production

Fundraiser Saved Payment Method Rate Limit Bypass (Production)

leaderboard-partner-id-audience-givepanel

Version 9.2.1 and above

AUD Donation Upsell audience

fundraiserCountryCode is US/EN

Active Fundraiser - Smart Default Cadence

DAF Internal

Vault on success card payment method

Platform is iOS v11.0.0 and above

Desktop users

Person ids

United States (US) users

allow yuno fundraisers for test

Mexico country code

Posters INTL

Support Comments Allowlist

NPO Profile Opted-In

iOS at or above 12.4.0

non-US recurring donors

Canada Campaign Owner Group

Fundraiser Without Meta Link

Scheduler payment tester gorup

charityCommunityId

Charities allow to be claimed unclaimed (PRD)

Canada (CA) users

UC Tipping v20250115 International

pymk_production_xplr_fe_team

Android at or above 12.2.0

Profile photo entry point audience

smart goals (fundraiser/manage) on test01

Activity Tracking v1 Beta Testing

start gfm intl allowed locales

Platform is iOS v11.2.0 and above

NPO upsell education category

unclaimed charities

prod_ach_audience

AI Chatbot Audience

amp13 only new funds (prod) (anyword auto)

UC Flow Enabled (Prod)

Payment Identity Beneficiary Verification - Production

shared notification bell audience

Custom users

ach frontend audience

Android v11.0.0 and above

Users Receiving Payments Paused Notifications

smart goals test01

Manage Coach - US English Organizers Only + new funds only

Team EGG - IP Address list

NPO recommendations prod

Fundraiser Without Instagram Deep Link

Native 11.4.0 and above

UC Tipping v20250107

checkout headers audience

ai_title_page

anyword

openai

control

manual_entry

userEmail

template_id

userId

fundUrl

isCharityCo

email

appVersion

shouldBucketIntoExperiment

isEligibleForProfileBadge

partnerId

donationCadence

isActiveFundraiser

isPartner

isMobile

npoProfileOptIn

fundIsLinkedWithMeta

hasSessionDonation

categoryGroup

isCampaignOwner

fundHasInstagramDeepLink

Native 11.3.0 and above

Native 11.4.0 and higher

New funds eligible - Video Sharing (PROD)

GB Donation Upsell audience 

Auto Thanks V3 Rollout Audience

Thank you V3 testing whitelist

isRecurringFriendly

Is Recurring Friendly

Excluded funds - Video Sharing

NPO upsell animals category

NPO upsell disaster relief category

Logged In Users

CH Donation Upsell audience

Android v10.6.0 and above

NPO upsell essential needs category

NPO upsell medical category

userCurrencyCode

Localized Currency

NPO upsell cancer category

v11.5.0 and above

testAudience

pathname

Survicate

appVersion is at or above 12.8.0

Non-charity fund

isChallengeFundraiser

challenge-fundraisers

Payment Identity Launch Verification - Production

New funds eligible - Posters v2

CAD Donation Upsell Audience

Braze Email Tester

NPO Profile Opted-Out

iOS App Version

hasKnownDonors

PYMK has donors

iOS v12.3.0 and above

Just $350$ to go! Make an impact.

Help Change Shelter Dogs’ Lives with The Church of Updog ⛪️

Just $350 to go!
Make an impact.