Every Dog Deserves an Adventure

For more than 20 years, my life has revolved around movement, adventure, and the outdoors. As an endurance athlete, I've completed the Boston Marathon twice, more than 20 Iron-distance triathlons, and ultramarathons of 100 miles or more. I've qualified for World Championships and earned an Age Group Long Course World Champion title. Through these experiences, I've developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the joy of discovering what lies beyond the everyday.

Alongside my love for the trails, my involvement with local dog rescues has shown me just how transformative outdoor experiences can be for dogs.

I've seen how much dogs benefit from exploring new environments and experiencing the world beyond their daily routines. A trail offers more than physical exercise. Every new scent, sound, and discovery engages their senses, encourages curiosity, and provides valuable mental enrichment.

That's where Tails to Trails began: with the belief that dogs deserve more than exercise. They deserve experiences that enrich their lives.

Tails to Trails OKC brings together my passion for the outdoors and my commitment to animal welfare. I work with personal pets whose families want to give them more meaningful outdoor experiences, as well as dogs living in long-term boarding while they wait for a foster family or forever home.

For personal pets, trail adventures offer a refreshing alternative to the ordinary neighborhood walk. There's time to sniff, explore, investigate, and move at a pace that suits each dog. The goal isn't simply to cover miles or burn energy, but to create an experience that engages their minds and bodies.

For dogs in long-term boarding, these adventures carry an especially meaningful purpose. While they wait for a family of their own, they still deserve opportunities to explore, connect with the world, and simply be dogs. Their lives don't have to be on hold while they wait. Through Tails to Trails, I want to make that in-between time richer and more rewarding.

My years as an endurance athlete have taught me the importance of preparation, awareness, and adapting to changing conditions. I bring that same attentiveness to every outing, considering each dog's comfort, confidence, body language, and individual needs. Some dogs want to investigate every scent along the trail; others benefit from a quieter pace and room to build confidence. Every adventure is shaped around the dog, with safety and enrichment at the heart of the experience.

Today, Tails to Trails is growing around a bigger vision: creating more opportunities for dogs to experience nature, engage their senses, and enjoy a better quality of life, regardless of their circumstances. I dream of expanding this work into a place where personal pets and rescue dogs alike can explore trails, enjoy the outdoors, and have room to rest and recharge.

To me, Tails to Trails is about stewardship, connection, and recognizing that every dog deserves our time, care, and consideration. Whether a dog has a loving family or is still waiting to find one, they deserve opportunities to explore, discover, and enjoy being a dog.

Because a trail adventure should be about more than the miles. It should be about everything a dog gets to experience along the way.