The Ruff Road Sponsorship Fund

In 2017, I quit my two jobs that I loved dearly in order to go on a solo adventure around the world, hoping to tell the story of what it looks like to take a risk to seek out adventure. If I didn't do it then, I might never. It was an amazing trip as you can imagine.


Unfortunately about the second month into my trip, three separate back injuries came together and put me into an immobile state. I was stuck in Asia with only partial ability to walk. The pain was unbearable, causing me to come home. I was unable to move without pain let alone continue the work that I was doing prior as a fitness coach as well as a craft bartender in S.F. I had gone from an upbeat, tenacious, extremely active person to not being able to get off the couch.  I was falling into a deep depression. After a months of serious rest I was able to walk with a pirate like limp. It wasn't pretty but it was enough to start volunteering my time at the Butte Humane Society walking (slowly) shelter dogs. It was those early months with the dogs that led me back to my old self. I felt like the dogs were giving me a purpose again. Even though I couldn't do the things I used to do or be the person I have always been identified as, the dogs were grateful to have me be a part of their day. It was no longer about feeling sorry for myself, it was a matter of showing up because someone was counting on me. I will forever be grateful to these dogs and this organization for helping me feel good again which is why, with your help, I'd like to give back some of what they have given me.

This February, an amazing shelter dog, Nutmeg, and I are emBARKing on an adventure together. We will be traveling on a cross county road trip bringing awareness not only to BHS organization but the importance of homeless dog adoptions. This of course is not a new message. We are bombarded daily with sad videos of overcrowded kennels, abused dogs, starving street dogs and neglected abandoned dogs, like my friend Nutmeg. These messages are negative and in my opinion, don't inspire people to get involved with animal shelters. There is a better way and that is through a happy tail.


Throughout this journey, I will be (and Nutmeg too) telling the happy story of what life could be like when you have a furry companion by your side. Showing in real time the positive effect a dog has on a person and further, what it looks like to give a good dog and a determined person a second chance at life.

Our main agenda for this journey is to become the national face of PAWsitive awareness toward the homeless animal community. Through social interactions, blogging and media, this dynamic duo's goal is to funnel donations to the BHS website with the ultimate goal of raising $10,000. In order to get out on the road and meet our goal, separate funds are needed to make this trip happen. For that and for this Go Fund Me page, we are seeking $5000. This will not be a glamour trip.


To keep expenses at an absolute low, Nutmeg and I will be be traveling for cross country in my trusty Toyota Tacoma while living out of the bed of the truck. As you can see in the picture, I have built out the back to be the tiniest of tiny homes. We built a professionally crafted lifted bed with built in storage. Hanging between the camper shell and bed are custom removable shelves. Carpet, heat and bedding to come. These are the bare bones but I promise, it will be much more livable by the time we launch. Can't wait to show you the final product!  

Our 6-8 week trip across the country will be 100% dog friendly. We plan on basing the journey around dog friendly destination hikes such as the south rim trail in the Grand Canyon and Dixie National Forest in Utah. We will also be stopping and saying hi to other shelters and dog friendly pubs, cafes, restaurants and brands along the way. We want to meet and greet and have as many people following us and our message as possible while hopefully driving traffic to the BHS donation site and possibly your business site. We have the potential to get thousands of others interested in what we're doing which could lead to great exposure for anyone willing to support us and help underwrite our trip.

It's going to be a Ruff Road but with your help, we can do it!

*please head to our facebook page under "story"  to see full list of sponsorship benefits!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/The-Ruff-Road-1519038538204127/about/