Our Story

Pawsitive Pathways is a small but mighty nonprofit serving rural Colorado with a mission to save dogs from rural, underfunded, and overcrowded shelters, places where adoption opportunities may be limited and the risk of euthanasia is heightened by limited space, scarce resources, or restrictive municipal codes. Through canine rehabilitation, community education, and animal welfare advocacy, we support shelter dogs while strengthening the rural communities and organizations that care for them, creating more sustainable pathways to lifesaving and lasting change.

​

Founded in 2022 by dog trainer and behaviorist Brandie Jackson, now serving as Director, and animal welfare advocate Lynn Gerber, serving as Community Liaison, Pawsitive Pathways began as a grassroots effort to help at-risk dogs in underfunded and overcrowded local shelters. As the organization's vision and impact grew, Brandie's eldest daughter, Baylee, a Registered Veterinary Technician and experienced leader, joined as Assistant Director, bringing her veterinary and shelter-care experience to the growing organization.

​

What began as a family-led passion project has grown into a successful and uniquely positioned nonprofit with a proven record of innovation, outreach, and lifesaving impact, helping rural dogs find safety and lasting placement while strengthening the resources and support systems available to the communities they come from.

​

A More Personal Approach

We're small by design and believe there's something special about keeping rescue personal. As a family-led, entirely volunteer-run organization with no paid employees, we may not have the staffing or resources of larger organizations, but we bring something equally important: a personal investment in every dog and every adoption. We believe in quality over quantity, relationships over transactions, and finding the right home over simply finding a home quickly.

​

We take the time to get to know our dogs firsthand and are honest and forthcoming about their personalities, needs, quirks, and challenges. We believe in thoughtful, open adoptions that look beyond checkboxes to consider the whole person, household, and lifestyle. Our goal isn't to find perfect people or perfect dogs; it's to create the right match and set everyone up for success.

​

Our commitment doesn't end at adoption. We remain a lifelong resource for every family who adopts from us, offering guidance, encouragement, and support long after a dog goes home. And if circumstances ever change and an adoption is no longer the right fit, we will welcome that dog back into our care without judgment, guilt, or hesitation. Every dog deserves a safe and suitable home, and we will always be part of that safety net.

​

Our Work

Every dog that enters our program receives a tailored approach: evaluation, medical care, enrichment, and individualized training in a calm, structured environment, either at our small PACFA-certified shelter or in an approved foster care home. Most dogs stay with us an average of six weeks, but we give them whatever amount of time they need to decompress, build trust, and develop the skills to thrive in their forever homes.

​

While in our care, dogs are promoted statewide through a strong network of rescues, shelters, businesses, and community advocates. Once adopted, they are hand-delivered to their new families whenever possible, allowing us to help make the transition as comfortable as possible. Our support doesn't stop at the doorstep; we're here for the questions, the unexpected challenges, and all the little things that come with welcoming a new dog into your life.

​

Beyond Rescue

Pawsitive Pathways also works to strengthen animal welfare across Colorado. Founder and Director Brandie frequently visits rural shelters to provide adoptability evaluations and behavior and enrichment plans, as well as deliver her original "Speak Dog" training program: a hands-on course tailored for shelter staff, animal law enforcement, and youth and school groups.

​

Looking Ahead

In 2024, we secured 40 acres in Kim, Colorado, with the vision of building a purpose-built rehabilitation facility: an innovative alternative to traditional shelters where dogs can heal, learn, and grow. With compassion, resourcefulness, and collaboration at our core, we are expanding our reach every day to save more dogs, support more rural shelters, and strengthen the bond between people and pets across Colorado.

​

Pawsitive Pathways is more than rescue. It's a movement toward transformational animal welfare in rural communities, one dog, one family, and one community at a time. 

​​

We thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission! If you're interested in supporting our efforts click HERE​

​​​

If you're looking for a new canine companion (or just want to see the adorable faces of our current crew) check out our available dogs HERE.