My name is Mikayla Whitaker (Staebler), founder of Trusted Trail Canine Wellness. The mission behind this company is deeply personal—rooted in family, shaped by sacrifice, and inspired by the loyal dogs who stand beside our nation's heroes and families every day.

My connection to first responders and service members began long before Trusted Trail was ever an idea.

I am the daughter of a retired police K9 handler and was raised in a world where service, sacrifice, and commitment to others was a way of life. Many of the first responders I grew up around weren't simply my father's coworkers-they were family. I also come from a family with deep military roots, including my grandfather, aunts, and uncles who proudly served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

As a young girl, I experienced firsthand the reality of the sacrifices first responders make. One of my father's closest friends, a fellow law enforcement officer, was tragically killed in a police helicopter accident. While I was still young, that loss forever shaped my perspective. It was a powerful reminder that every time a first responder leaves home to serve their community, there is no guarantee they will return to their family.

That understanding became even more personal at home. Like many first responder and military families, I remember praying each day my dad would make it home safely. Yet he wasn't the only one heading out the door to serve. Every shift, his K9 partner climbed into the patrol car right alongside him.

To the public, they were a police K-9 unit. To me, they were my dad and my best friends -Tango, Ripley, and Ranger-who proudly represent the Trusted Trail brand.

As a child, I witnessed the extraordinary bond between a handler and his dog -a bond built on trust, loyalty, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to one another. I saw the risks they faced together, the lives they protected, and the comfort and companionship they provided both on and off duty. I also experienced and continue to experience firsthand the unconditional love, loyalty and companionship that only a dog can provide during life's best and also most challenging seasons.

My passion for canine health and wellness extends far beyond my experience with working dogs. I also hold a degree in Animal Science and spent more than a decade working in the animal health and veterinary industry. Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand how proper nutrition, quality ingredients, and preventative wellness can significantly impact a dog's health, longevity, and quality of life.

That knowledge, combined with my personal experiences and mission to give back to those who serve, shaped the foundation of Trusted Trail Canine Wellness.