Happy Trots was born from lived experience.

We are dog owners ourselves, and like so many pet parents, we struggled to find care we truly trusted. Care that felt consistent, loving, and respectful of the fact that our dogs are family. Winnie and Bear were (and are) our world, and when the few people we trusted weren’t available, we often felt unsettled about who to hire.

At the same time, life was asking for something new.

After a year marked by grief and burnout, I received a call on Christmas Eve letting me know my work hours were being cut. What I wanted to do that day was simple: walk my dog, breathe, and move my body. What I needed to do was make a living. In that moment, a clear idea landed, one that felt both practical and deeply aligned.

Happy Trots became the answer to several needs at once:

• A way to nurture a lifelong love of dogs

• A path to regulate and heal my nervous system through movement and time outdoors

• A solution for our community - offering reliable, trusted, and genuinely loving dog care

But it didn’t stop there.

I am also a certified coach, and as I healed, I realized how powerful walking can be, not just for dogs, but for humans too. Happy Trots now includes human walking experiences: coaching walks, reflective voice notes, and inspiring content you can walk with on your own. Movement creates clarity. Nature creates space. Walking helps us come back to ourselves.

This philosophy is woven into everything we do. Our walkers aren’t just dog walkers, they’re grounded, kind humans who understand presence, care, and responsibility. They also have access to these same tools for their own wellbeing, because we believe cared-for people provide better care.

At its heart, Happy Trots is about community, trust, and gentle forward motion, for dogs and the people who love them.

If you’re a thoughtful, dependable, and good human who feels aligned with this work and wants to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you.