Waypoints: Hailey Hagerty, Sky & Ripley

Waypoints celebrate the places our dogs take us and the joy of returning to them together, time and time again. Whether it's a summit, a shoreline, or a certain spot on the trail where your dog just has to stop and sniff every time, it's the dog and the story that make it special.

We worked with some incredible dog and human teams who shared their own Waypoints with us through storytelling and some really fun photoshoots.

Meet Hailey Hagerty and her dogs Sky and Ripley. Here's what she had to say about their connection to the location we joined them at for their photoshoot.

Quick Editor's Note: Ripley is the young pup in the orange Approach Pack. At the time of the photoshoot, he was a tad too young to be carrying any weight in his pack, but he was the perfect age for shouldering an empty one as training to get used to wearing one. Wearing an empty pack is a great way to get pups young and old ready for the trails ahead. We always recommend checking in with your vet if you have questions specific to your dog.

Can you share a little bit about you, Sky, and Ripley?

I live in Flagstaff, AZ with my golden retrievers Sky (who loves to do freestyle frisbee tricks) and Ripley (who is an Avalanche Dog and Search and Rescue Dog in training). Dog training is one of my absolute passions. One of my favorite things about dogs is when they express their personality, and when we hike, ski, bike or go on any adventure I feel like they have the freedom to explore in their own way.  

I believe every dog wants to have a job and loves doing it. They are pack animals and want to work with their owners however they can. Dogs can work for you professionally as a service dog, or search and rescue dog, or they can find a job backpacking with you, skijoring, mountain biking or anything you want their job to be. They are willing to do just about anything for fun or a good time.

If you give them an outlet to work for something that they love, everything else in dog training falls into place and you end up with an amazing relationship with your dog. This is why I love outdoor adventuring with my pups. 

Can you tell us a bit about why this spot in Sedona is a Waypoint for you and the dogs?

This photoshoot was in Sedona, Arizona. I chose this location because I love the redrock slabs. It's at the end of this canyon and it is surrounded by spectacular cliffs. I love this area because it is a little off the beaten path.

This place is special for the dogs and I because it serves as a little oasis from winter. We live 40 miles away in the mountains where we can go skiing every day, and still escape to the warm desert to play just about any day. 

What is it about this spot that keeps you and your dogs returning?

The dogs love this place because of the open space. They love climbing all over the red rock slabs. It is special because we are not restricted to a trail and I can follow wherever the dogs are leading their adventure. 

I keep returning to this place because it is a spectacular outdoor playground. I get to mountain bike and run the trails underneath the cliffs that I climb.