My love for animals, especially dogs and horses started when I was a young girl. I was 3 years old the first time I got on the back of a horse, and that was the catalyst for my life long passion. In 2019 I graduated from Centenary University with a bachelors degree in equine studies with a concentration in business management. During my time at school I had the privilege of expanding my equine knowledge through the schools immense equine program, interning at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and competing as the captain of the Hunter/Jumper team. Post graduation I took on managerial and groom roles in the equine industry before setting off on a life changing journey. In the spring of 2022, after feeling a bit burnt out from my job, I hiked the Appalachian trail, Georgia to Maine. Prior to the A.T I was not a backpacker but something inside me just kept whispering to try. During my six month hike I gained new insight and perspective, which followed me home. Knowing that I did not want to go back to what I had been doing previously, and also knowing how important involvement with animals was to me, I started getting requests to dog sit. Pretty quickly, word of mouth spread and every weekend I was booked! Seeing a need in the community, I opened my services up to dog walking, as well as private horse care for people who kept their equines at home. With all this business coming in, I knew my next step had to be creating The Jolly Walker! 

When hiking a long distance trail, particularly in the United States, you are given a “trail name” or alias and no one refers to you by your government name! Early on in the hike, I was given the named “Jolly Rancher”, after discovering how great a snack the candies made! Many people call me Jolly for short!

Jolly Rancher summiting Mt. Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian trail. Sept. 13th, 2022