Hi! From all those on our trailblazing team, we are so happy you’re here! To start our journey together, I want to share a bit of background about who I am. More importantly, I want to explain what I hope this blog can do for you.
Let’s start with some introductions!
My name is Kaya, and I am a university student in Raleigh North Carolina. I study design, and I have a minor in Business Entrepreneurship. Right now, I work three jobs, volunteer often, and make sure to find time for adventure!
I’m originally from Western North Carolina, where I live with my dad, grandma, and younger sister. I grew up with a lot of pets and a lot of adventure, so we started off young!
As I get my bachelors degree, I live with my partner and two ESAs int in Raleigh.
I have multiple invisible disabilities, including Celiac Disease, which is part of the inspiration for this blog. College has been particularly challenging as a student with disabilities. Fortunately, I have two emotional support animals along for the ride!
I got my first ESA in high school for depression, and he has been a bright spot in my life ever since!
Meet Skully! He is a beautiful domestic short hair that loves to cuddle and cause chaos around my apartment.
He is turning three in 2025, so he’s still just a baby!
I recently added a new addition to the trailblazing team, in the form of my second ESA, Trace!
Trace is a Staffy-Boxer mix that I rescued last November. He is one of the main inspirations for Trailblazing Unleashed, because he is a special needs pup.
Trace is also turning three this year!
Starting Trailblazing Unleashed
As someone with disabilities, I have always had a hard time finding accessible adventures. Whether is be related to my learning disabilities or my dietary restrictions, this world wasn’t designed with me in mind. I’ve been working to find a space for myself ever since I got diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2020, and it has been nothing short of a journey.
My journey radically shifted when Trace came into my life. I decided to adopt a dog a few months ago. As I was looking through the shelter database, I stumbled upon Trace.
Before I met him, Trace had been in the shelter/foster system for almost a year. He lost his leg in the summer of 2024, and was really struggling to find his forever home. I reached out to his foster mom for an introduction and couldn’t imagine a life without him.
From then on, he’s been my adventure buddy! We’ve been to national parks, across the state, and to the vet (unfortunately) on more than one occasion.
Having a Tri-pawed Pup
With a Tri-pawed dog, lots of dog mom life can look very different. When adopting a special needs dog, you learn to anticipate accessibility issues. Thankfully with my background as a disabled student, I know exactly where to start.
On our blog, you’re going to see lots of tips and tricks for accessible dog life, in addition to our adventurous posts.
Our Mission
I’d like to close our first post with an introduction to our mission. Our mission here at Trailblazing Unleashed is to help people and pets like us find their place in the outdoors. Having a disabled pet can feel daunting and often lonely, and we want to help you find your way!
I have always wanted a resource for disabled adventuring, so my blog is just that. Welcome to the team. We can’t wait to see all of adventures you begin as a trailblazer!
Trailblaze on!
— Kaya, Trace, and Skully
Trailblazing Unleashed 
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