Freedom Found K9

05/28/2026

As we get closer to June 12th, I’ve been thinking a lot about the last year.

June 12th marks one full year since Freedom Found officially took on its very first client.

And honestly… I still don’t entirely have words for what this past year has meant to me.

Freedom Found was built from grief, frustration, hope, and a deep desire to create something different for dogs and their people.

It was built because I needed a space where dogs could be seen as individuals.
Where behavior could be understood instead of simply suppressed.
Where dogs could safely exist as dogs.

This business exists because of a dog who is no longer here.
And losing him at the beginning of this journey changed me forever.

A huge part of Freedom Found has been trying to honor his legacy by helping more dogs live safer, fuller, better lives.

And over the last year, this incredible community formed around that vision.

You guys trusted me with your dogs.
You attended webinars.
You shared my posts.
You referred friends.
You supported this weird little dream of mine.

And I truly cannot thank you enough for that.

Which brings me to this 😅

I may have stumbled across the perfect Freedom Found adventure van a little earlier than expected.

Over the last year, I’ve put an absolutely ridiculous amount of miles on my daily driver transporting client dogs, heading to sessions, board-and-trains, adventure walks, pick-ups/drop-offs, vet visits, and all the chaos in between.

And honestly? That’s okay.
Dogs deserve adventures.
Dogs deserve movement.
Dogs deserve support.

But I’ve known for a while that eventually Freedom Found would need a dedicated vehicle specifically for the dogs and the business.

And then the universe apparently decided to speed up the timeline a bit 😂

The van I found is a used minivan with incredibly low miles (around 60k), has been really well maintained, and honestly feels like exactly what I’ve been hoping to find long-term for safer dog transport and sustainability for the business.

The only catch is that it’s more than I originally planned to spend.

I had been budgeting closer to the $3,500 range, and this one is $6,500.

But after looking at what’s out there, this one truly feels worth it long-term instead of settling for something cheaper that might immediately turn into expensive repairs.

So instead of asking for donations, I wanted to create something where people could support Freedom Found while also getting something back too ❤️

For a limited time:
Gift cards/service credits purchased will get bonus value added onto them.

These can be used toward:
• Boarding
• Board & Trains
• Adventure Walks
• In-person sessions
• Future services

Here’s the breakdown:
• Purchase $300 → get an extra $75
• Purchase $500 → get an extra $150
• Purchase $1,000 → get an extra $300
• Purchase $1,500 → get an extra $500

I’m also offering:
• A 3-pack of one-hour virtual sessions for $300
• Webinar purchases & All-Access Passes also help support this goal

The virtual package does not include the week-to-week support included in my normal virtual training package, but it’s a great option for those wanting coaching and guidance from a distance.

AND as a thank-you, I’m going to add supporter dog stickers/names onto the van ❤️

Even if you’re not in a place to purchase anything right now, that is completely okay.

Sharing this post, recommending my services, sharing webinars, or simply continuing to support Freedom Found means more than you probably realize.

This business has genuinely become one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life.

And this next step would allow me to continue building it in a way that’s safer, more sustainable, and better for both the dogs and myself long-term.

The bigger dream is still the same:
More freedom.
More understanding.
More opportunities for dogs to actually live the good life.

And somehow over the last year, all of you helped make that possible.

So truly… thank you.

For trusting me.
For trusting my dogs.
For trusting the process.
For helping build this community with me.

I cannot wait to see where Freedom Found goes next ❤️

*These offers apply to new purchases and future services beginning in June and beyond, and are not automatically applicable to previously discounted packages, sliding-scale arrangements, or currently active programs/stays. If you have questions about a current booking, feel free to reach out and ask.*

05/19/2026

There’s a side of this work that people don’t always see.

The emotional weight can be a lot.

The hard conversations.
The safety concerns.
The setbacks.
The management.
The grief people carry when they feel like the world doesn’t understand their dog.

A lot of the dogs I work with have very small circles. Sometimes only one or two people they truly trust.

And somehow, somewhere along the way, I’ve been lucky enough to become a part of that circle for a lot dogs.

And honestly? That part never stops feeling profound to me.

Being the first person outside of their family they allow close.
The first person able to leash them up.
The first person they feel safe enough to approach.
The first person trusted to put on a muzzle without panic.
The first person their humans trust to watch them so they can finally take a trip without fear.

But even more than that…

You get to meet the dog underneath it all.

The goofy side.
The silly side.
The soft side.
The dog that exists underneath the barking, the lunging, the fear, the labels, and the “problem dog” conversations.

The side they only show when they truly feel safe.

And I don’t think I could ever fully explain what it feels like to earn that kind of trust from a dog who doesn’t give it easily.

But I do know that moments like that make every hard part of this work worth carrying.

05/18/2026

Hey everybody, I wanted to make an updated post because I did receive some pushback on my last post regarding boarding policies, and after some not-so-kind comments, I decided to take the original post down.

I also hear your feedback, and I think the best next step, and honestly a pretty fair middle ground, is requiring a test night for all boarding stays moving forward.

Previously, I only required test nights for behavioral boarding dogs. However, I’ve had situations where dogs came for “regular” boarding and it became clear they were struggling significantly with separation, confinement, or the overall boarding environment, either because information wasn’t disclosed or because owners genuinely did not know.

Of course, this does not apply to situations where we’ve already had conversations ahead of time regarding your dog’s needs. This includes behavioral boarding, puppy stays, or board and trains where confinement, separation, or acclimation is already part of the training plan. If we’ve already discussed accommodations and expectations, then we can absolutely work with that and it’s not a problem at all.

However, moving forward, all dogs who have not boarded with me before will require a test night before longer stays.

Typically, these are around a full 36-hour stay where dogs are dropped off morning or midday, spend the day and overnight with me, and then are picked up sometime the following day. The goal is simply to get a realistic picture of how they settle, decompress, handle separation, and adjust to the environment before a longer stay.

If a dog struggles during a test night, that does not automatically mean your dog can never board here. It just means we make a plan from there. Maybe we work on some training, maybe we schedule additional shorter stays, maybe we discuss support from your veterinarian, or maybe we set up some fun drop-ins to help them build familiarity with the environment over time.

A lot of this comes down to the fact that confinement tolerance and being cared for by other people are life skills. Emergencies happen. Vet stays happen. Travel happens. Dogs deserve support learning how to safely cope with those situations.

I also want to clarify that my intention with the original post was never to shame anybody or upset anybody. A lot of owners genuinely may not know their dog is struggling during boarding, and honestly, that’s part of the issue within the industry as a whole. If nobody tells owners the truth about how their dog is coping, then how can we ever work on helping the dog feel more comfortable or successful?

I truly care deeply about giving dogs a safe, comfortable home environment while their owners are away, and I want to continue being able to offer that while also making sure dogs are genuinely coping well emotionally in my care.

And just as a reminder, all visits and drop-ins need to be scheduled ahead of time. Please do not show up to my house unannounced.

As always, if you have questions about your own dog or whether these policies apply to your situation, please ask. I would always rather have open conversations ahead of time.

05/15/2026

River’s adventure this week looks a little different than the farm!

As much as I love being on the farm and adventuring there, it’s nice to change it up and do something different or go somewhere new!

05/13/2026

This is why we use so much more than just food in our training sessions.

While primary reinforcement is amazing. There are many other ways to reinforce behaviors!

Domain 3: Health & Fitness

WELFARE FACT 💡

Obesity is one of the most common, and overlooked, welfare issues in pet dogs.

Obesity isn’t just about weight. It’s a Health and Fitness (Domain 3) concern that impacts a dog’s ability to function, adapt, and fully engage with life.

Excess body weight places strain on multiple systems:
• Reduced mobility and stamina
• Increased load on joints and internal systems
• Decreased participation in natural behaviors like exploring, playing, and foraging

Over time, this doesn’t just affect physical health. It limits access to positive emotional experiences.

From a welfare science perspective, obesity represents a form of malnutrition. Not due to lack, but due to mismatch between intake and need.

Importantly, this often arises from good intentions:
Using food frequently in training, offering treats to bond, or expressing care through feeding.

These choices are meaningful. But without balance, they can unintentionally create long-term welfare costs.

⭐️ WELFARE HACK ⭐️

Rethink reinforcement beyond food

Instead of relying primarily on treats, incorporate the Premack Principle:

Use access to what the dog already wants in a given context, such as a door opening, a leash coming off, a meal being prepared, toy interactions, a car ride, leash-free environmental exploration, social interactions, or even squirrel proximity, as reinforcement.

These “life rewards” can reduce calories without compromising learning. They can also facilitate less transactional interactions at the same time.

Premack-based learning supports:
• The relationship (shared experiences, social currency, communication)
• The mind (functional problem-solving and practical, competent engagement with conditions)
• The body (movement and optimized health without excess weight)

Welfare isn’t about giving more food.

It’s about giving what fits the dog and their Total Welfare best.

05/12/2026

Tuesday includes: Rumor, Roulette, and Bucky 🤩

05/10/2026

Final reminder that *Stuck in High Gear* is happening tomorrow night.

Honestly, I think this is one of the most important topics we can understand when it comes to behavior.

A lot of dogs are living in a state of chronic over-arousal and we’re trying to solve it with obedience alone.

Meanwhile the dog’s nervous system is basically screaming.

We’re going to break down what arousal actually is, why it happens, how it affects learning and behavior, and why arousal, drive, motivation, and energy are all completely different things.

We’ll also talk about the role of stress accumulation, sleep, pain, hormones, GI issues, and the nervous system itself because behavior never exists separately from the body.

And then we’ll get into the practical side:
How do we actually help dogs regulate?
How do we build arousal flexibility?
How do we teach dogs to come back down instead of just constantly reacting?

This is not just theory. You’ll leave with things you can immediately start implementing with your own dog.

The webinar is about 75 minutes long and there will be time for questions at the end.

If your dog struggles with settling, gets “stuck” in excitement, goes from 0 to 100, or feels constantly on edge, this one’s for you.

Live tomorrow at 7pm CST
Recording included if you can’t make it live.
➡ https://freedomfoundk9.thinkific.com/products/courses/stuck-in-high-gear

And if you know somebody with a dog like this, tag them below or send this their way.

05/04/2026

I really wish I didn’t have to say this…

If you’re interested in boarding or training, I completely understand wanting to see where your dog will be staying. I actually encourage it, and I think it’s a red flag if someone isn’t willing to show you.

However, showing up unannounced is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It will result in immediate termination of services.

You cannot show up unannounced, walk onto my property, look into my backyard, look through windows, or knock on my door unexpectedly.

Just because my address is in my agreement does not mean it is open access.

This. Is. My. HOME. Not a facility. Not a place to just stop by. Not a store front.

If you want to visit, set up a time with me. I will gladly show you everything and answer any questions. You can even being them to run around in the yard and see the house!

But unannounced & uninvited visits are a safety issue.

But this is a boundary that cannot be crossed.

05/04/2026

I had a little bit of open time next week and decided to open up a few virtual troubleshooting sessions.

These are 1:1 Zoom sessions where we can focus on whatever you need support with. Reactivity, training plans, behavior questions, management… or just talking through what’s been feeling confusing or inconsistent.

Sometimes it’s not about doing more. It’s about making sure what you’re doing actually fits your dog.

These are $150 and it’s pretty rare that I open up availability like this, so I wanted to offer a few spots.

Available times:
Monday at 1:00pm CST
Monday at 2:15pm CST
Wednesday at 5:00pm CST
Wednesday at 6:15pm CST

If you want one, you can grab a spot here:
https://form.jotform.com/26123368626205

Photo By: Black Dog Bytes

05/02/2026

I wanted to share a quick update about The Reactive Dog Blueprint.

Due to low enrollment, I’ve decided to cancel this round of the course.

I really appreciate everyone who shared, liked, commented, or reached out with questions. It genuinely means a lot, and I’m grateful for the support.

I’m not ruling it out completely. It may come back in a different format or at a different time. For now, I’m just going to shift my focus elsewhere.

If you were interested in working together, there are still a few ways to do that. I offer Zoom consultations for troubleshooting and planning, as well as virtual sessions. In-person work is limited, but still available in select cases.

I also have more webinars coming up. The next one is Stuck in High Gear: Understanding Arousal, happening Monday, May 11. We’ll be digging into why arousal happens, how it shows up in behavior, and how to actually support dogs through it in a way that makes sense.

Thank you again to everyone who continues to support my small business. I really do love the work that I get to do and the dogs and people I get to work with, whether that’s in person or online.