Trident the Hand Held Safety Dog Leash Handle
Donation protected
Story of Survival and a Commitment to Safety
My name is Aaron Strickland, and I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, with a mission to make dog walks safer for all.
On one fateful night last year, I was viciously attacked by a neighbor's dog just blocks from our home. It was a terrifying ordeal as the large dog mauled my beloved 6-month-old puppy right in front of me. I did everything I could to protect her, but there was no escaping the aggressive animal. My puppy and I suffered deep bites before the dog’s owner finally pulled it away.
From that moment on, I was committed to developing a solution to help people handle dangerous dog encounters and better ensure their safety during walks.
After days of research, it became clear that pepper spray and an extendable Safety Stick were perhaps the most effective non-lethal deterrents. However, carrying multiple discrete items was inconvenient and didn’t allow for quick access in an emergency situation.
That’s when I started building the first prototype of what would become Trident!
The Solution
Trident was a hefty self-defense tool that housed double flashlights, an expandable stick, and a pepper spray canister all-in-one. While effective, it was too bulky and costly to produce at scale. So I assembled a talented team to help refine my vision, including my wife Bree, who manages marketing; Ryan Shaw, our project manager; social media expert Breanna Stone; and of course, Mark Druecker, the owner of Southwest Plastics and Robotics, who turned my concept into reality.
We developed the lightweight, multi-functional Trident that dog walkers need today. At its core is a powerful 300-lumen tactical flashlight for visibility and situational awareness. It also includes an expandable 21-inch Safety Stick that allows for safe distance and non-lethal protection if needed. For added safety, Trident houses reliable ASP pepper spray in a compact canister with an enhanced safety latch. Crafted from super tough nylon for durability, it’s just one pound and allows for a free hand.
Purpose & Impact
With over 4.5 million dog attacks annually in the U.S. alone, safer tools are necessary to protect citizens and their pets. Trident fills an important need as the first all-in-one walking safety device on the market. Its lightweight, ergonomic design gives users quick access to life-saving deterrents like light, pepper spray, and an expandable stick - all crucial in an emergency. Trident empowers individuals to feel more in control and confident during their walks, which is especially important for those who walk early or alone.
Goals & Milestones
To bring the Trident concept to life at scale, we need to produce durable injection molded frames through a manufacturing partner. The industrial mold required will cost $20,000, and we estimate needing at least 1,500 pre-orders at $70 each to cover full production costs of $85 per unit, including materials, labor, and distribution.
Our funding goal is $100,000 through this campaign. With your support, we will:
● Complete engineering and safety testing by Q3 2024
● Manufacture the injection mold
● Commence mass production and fulfill backer rewards
● Launch a robust ecommerce store and distribution network
● Expand Trident's availability nationwide
Back Trident Today!
We humbly ask that you consider backing our crowdfunding campaign. Your support at reward levels starting from just $25 will help us reach our production goals.
Project Progress Reports
To ensure full transparency with our backers, we will provide regular updates. You'll receive details on engineering milestones, safety testing results, manufacturing timelines, and more.
A Big Thank You!
We want to express our deepest thanks to everyone who supports our mission. Your donations will directly fund the creation of a product aimed at improving public safety.
Spread the Word!
To maximize our reach and funding potential, we humbly ask you to promote our campaign through your networks. Share our story and GoFundMe page with friends and family members on social media. Every share helps educate others about Trident and brings us closer to our production target.
Get in Touch!
For any questions or suggestions or to learn how else you can support Trident, please contact me directly via email at [email redacted]. You can also connect with me on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. Thank you again - your backing will save lives.
Organizer
Aaron Strickland
Organizer
Surprise, AZ