Why I Started Paws On Planes

It Didn’t Start with a Business Plan—It Started with My Dog.

I used to believe that starting a business required one big lightning-bolt moment—a sudden spark of clarity where everything would finally make sense.

But in my case?
It was less of a spark and more of a slow burn.

Back in May 2020, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I had just moved to Red Oak, Iowa to be with my fiancé, and overnight, my life shifted into survival mode. I found myself flying back and forth between Iowa and California—navigating full-time work, caregiving, and grief during a global pandemic.

It was the most emotionally draining season of my life.
But through the chaos, one thing kept me grounded: my dog, Luciano.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but Luciano wasn’t just offering me comfort—he was performing a task called tactile support, a trained behavior many psychiatric service dogs use to interrupt panic or anxiety. His presence brought my stress down to something manageable. He became my lifeline.

And yet, the hardest part?
I couldn’t always bring him with me.

Trying to Travel with a Service Dog Shouldn’t Be This Hard

When I first started looking into what it would take to fly with Luciano as a service dog, I hit a wall—fast. Every airline had its own rules. The information online was vague, conflicting, and mostly focused on calling out fake service dogs rather than actually helping people like me navigate the system legally and ethically.

Four years (and many flights) later, a friend of a friend reached out for help. She was trying to fly with her dog and said, “I’ve been Googling for hours and I’m more confused than ever.”

As I talked her through it, I realized…
She had the exact same questions I once did.

That was my moment of clarity:
I didn’t just figure this out for me. I created a system that could actually help people.

That was the moment my mission clicked into place. I didn’t just want to travel with my service dog—I wanted to help others do it too. The people who felt anxious just thinking about the airport. The ones who didn’t know where to start. The ones who needed support but couldn’t find it.

So, I started creating the exact system I wished I had 4 years ago. I turned everything I had learned—every form, every training protocol, every airline interaction—into something clear, supportive, and step-by-step. A real roadmap.

A way to fly with your service dog or pet without the panic or the guesswork.

From Surviving to Serving: My Why

What started as my personal journey has become something bigger:
Paws on Planes Inc.

Today, I help people across the country feel confident traveling with their service dog or pet. From navigating airline forms and TSA checkpoints to public access training and choosing the right airline, I’ve built a process that works—because I lived it.

I’m honored to say this journey was recently featured by CanvasRebel, where I shared more about how I turned one of the hardest seasons of my life into a business that now helps others reclaim their independence.

👉 Read the full CanvasRebel feature here.

 
If You’re Reading This, You Might Be at the Start of Your Own Journey

Maybe you’ve been told flying with a service dog is too hard.
Maybe you’ve felt alone, confused, or worried you’ll mess it up.
Or maybe you just want to travel more and bring your dog with you—ethically, safely, and without stress.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.

Let’s Take the First Step Together

At Paws on Planes, I offer 1-on-1 consults, digital guides, and custom support for pet parents and service dog handlers just like you.

So whether you’re training a Psychiatric Service Dog, flying for the first time with your pup, or just want someone who gets it—I’m here.

💬 Click here to schedule a free consultation
🐾 Or explore my full services here

Because the sky isn’t the limit.
It’s just the beginning.