Let's Explore the Outdoors AND IT'S ENDLESS possibilities

Hey! I’m Kelly. I am a social worker and I love nature.

As an Afro-Latina born and raised in Cali, Colombia, for most of my life I have been lucky to reap the benefits that the outdoors and nature have to offer. Now as an adult working with vulnerable communities, I understand the importance of having all the resources available for a healthy mind and body. 

I have over 15 years of experience as a social worker, supporting the overall mental health and wellbeing of children, adults, and families thru therapeutic interventions. In my current role I collaborate with state, federal and local entities to advocate for service members, veterans, and their families to ensure they receive needed services and support. 

The outdoors offer a safe healing space that helps to improve my mood, lower stress, and promote healthy mental and physical health balance. As a member of the BIPOC community, representation in the outdoors matters. My goal is to promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the outdoors and inspire others to prioritize their mental and physical health.
 

My favorite things to do are hiking and camping. I started kayaking and paddle-boarding with Khai a few years ago and love doing both.  Hope to inspire you to get outside.

 Khai is a Potcake dog and the best adventure buddy

Have you heard of Potcakes? They are a mixed-breed dog of Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and other Caribbean Islands. The name comes from a local food; a peas and rice mix that would "cake" on the bottom of pots when cooked. These "caked" remains would be fed to the dogs, and hence  affectionally calling them Potcakes. 

I met Khai in June of 2019 while vacationing in Turks and Caicos and visiting Potcake Place K-9 rescue to volunteer to walk some of their pups to the beach. I had a chance to walk most of Khai’s siblings but after our first time together, I knew I had to adopt him. So after filling out all of the adoption paperwork, he got on the airplane and we headed back to Arizona. 

Potcakes are very smart, resilient, and loyal to their owners. Most tend to have a very warm temperament and can be very independent. There are Potcakes all over the world, most have been adopted by tourists visiting the islands. We are connected with all his siblings and while haven’t met any other Potcakes living in Arizona, we hope that changes soon. 

Khai is very affectionate, energetic, and super clever. He enjoys many outdoors activities from hiking and kayaking, to swimming and climbing and I love sharing all our adventures together.