If I could go back and give advice to my teenage self, I would tell her to trust the journey and the timing of her life. As a teenager, you often feel like you have to have everything figured out immediately, but the decades of experience you are going to gain with dogs is exactly what will build the foundation for Duty Danes. Every lesson learned about health, behavior, and genetics will eventually lead to “Healing Hearts one paw at a time.”
I would also tell her that education is a marathon, not a sprint. Even when life feels like a massive balancing act—between school, health, and the pack—staying the course is worth it. I’d encourage her to start practicing “calm-assertive energy” now, not just with the dogs, but with herself. Most importantly, I’d tell her never to let anyone’s labels define her or her animals, and always to prioritize trust and leadership above all else.
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice about life or animals, what would it be? Let’s share some wisdom in the comments!