About Outdoor Dog Adventures

BACKGROUND CHECKED, BONDED, AND INSURED

Our Mission

Outdoor Dog Adventures is founded on the belief that exercise and social interaction are vital to a dog’s happiness. Our goal is to better the lives of your family’s pets by providing essential walks, pet social interactions, transportation services, and many more amenities.

We strive to alleviate owner’s worry while they are away and be a trusted ally in the care of your four-legged friends. You will have peace of mind knowing that your pet is in experienced, caring hands.

Our Team

Kim Keys

Owner & Business Manager

Kim was born and raised in Harford County, Maryland. She attended Towson University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business. For the past 8 years, Kim has worked in the banking industry but has always had a passion for animals beginning at a young age. She has had a wide range of pets ranging from the typical childhood carnival goldfish to a chinchilla and of course dogs.

Kim is a proud dog mom to Lilly, a Puggle that she and Joe adopted in Maryland, and Chuy, an Austrailian Cattle Mix they adopted from the Kentucky Humane Society. She is a member of Pet Sitters International and also a Certified Professional Pet Sitter. She strives to provide the best care for your pups whether it be a stimulating, adventurous hike or an exciting game of fetch in the backyard.

When not working, Kim enjoys spoiling Lilly and Chuy, taking them on adventures, and trying to convince Joe to let her adopt every dog she sees at the Humane Society. She also loves making crafts, spending time outdoors, traveling, and attending spin class. Her favorite weekend activity is snuggling on the couch with the dogs and binge-watching The Golden Girls.

Joe Keys

Owner

Joe was also born and raised in Harford County, Maryland. He attended Frostburg University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. After graduating college, he moved to Indianapolis where he worked for a non-profit organization that allowed him to travel all over the United States for 3 years. After those 3 years on the road, he moved back to Maryland where he began his career in Finance and also obtained his insurance license. Fast forward 13 years later, and he is now a Regional Assistant Vice President for the 2nd largest finance company in the U.S. This job is what brought him and Kim to Louisville and they are sure glad it did. Since moving here back in 2014, Joe has fully embraced the Kentucky
lifestyle and has become a Certified Bourbon Steward. When not working, Joe enjoys spending time with Kim and their two dogs, Lilly and Chuy, traveling, hunting for rare bourbon, and finding new adventures and things to do in Louisville! Like a true Kentuckian, he enjoys horseracing and bourbon!

Cassidy Rives

Professional Dog Walker

Cassidy grew up on a farm and has raised horses, goats, pigs, chickens, and of course, many dogs! Cassidy chose to be a part of Outdoor Dog Adventures because of her love for animals and how it pairs with parts of farm life, being outdoors and caring for dogs. She strives to make her visits one of the best parts of your dogs day!

Lori Nell

Professional Dog Walker

Born and raised in Lancaster, PA, Lori has always had a passion for being around and working with animals. She started taking horseback riding lessons at 7 years old and still loves riding today. Lori has experience working in several animal-related jobs including farm work, pet retail, adoption counselor at an SPCA, and a doggie daycare. She has gained valuable knowledge from each one that she carries with her, including a certification in equine sports massage therapy, earned in 2012.

Having two dogs of her own, one with moderate anxiety, Lori understands how important it is for any dog to have some time each day to explore nature and take in new surroundings which helps to build confidence.

While not working, and being new to the Louisville area, Lori and her husband enjoy learning about everything that this city has to offer, exploring the local cuisine, going to the movies, and spending down time with their dogs Nala and Jethro. Lori also enjoys just about any outdoor activity including camping, hiking, kayaking, and photography.

Gary Blazin

Professional Dog Walker

Gary grew up in a very rural part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Although he left the U.P. to join the navy, he still sees himself to be a “Yooper” at heart, loving all things having to do with the outdoors. While in the navy, he graduated from Annapolis with a BS in Engineering Physics, and was certified as an engineer in the nuclear power program. He left active duty to pursue a career in education, but continued in the naval reserves; attaining the rank of Commander. He came to Louisville to receive a masters from U of L and fulfill his passion for teaching high school. It is here that he met the love of his life, Jeannine, and they raised their family, which included a son, four dogs, and two cats.

After retiring from education, he started a new career volunteering with the Kentucky Humane Society. During his years there he discovered the sheer joy of taking a dog out of the shelter for a walk in the park, or anywhere else they could go to have fun together. Many people see sadness when they visit a shelter, but Gary was able to focus on this joy because he knew he would be back the next day for another fun walk, and everyday thereafter, until that dog went home. When Gary isn’t walking dogs, he enjoys marathon training, reading, hiking, canoeing, and sitting around a campfire with good friends.

Sarah Jackson

Professional Dog Walker

Sarah is a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and grew up in the Highlands across from Tyler Park. After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy, she traveled to Chicago to attend DePaul University where she got a BFA in Theater. She spent the next ten years in the city working in restaurants and creating theater. She was able to direct, produce, and act in a variety of different projects. She was also instrumental in opening two restaurants.

Sarah then decided she needed a change of pace and moved to Colorado to try her hand at ranching. Over the next 4 years she worked on dude ranches and was able to really be in her element: taking care of horses, goats, chickens, and ducks. She was also able to utilize her experience with people by taking guests on trial rides through the Rocky Mountains.

The love of her life is her one-eyed cat, Henry. She rescued him in Chicago after he was abandoned. He got to travel across the country and back with her and now spends his days obsessing over the cardinal birds in the backyard. Sarah is thrilled to be joining the Outdoor Dog Adventure Team so that she will be able to spend more time outside, being active with dogs!