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Ryan and Nahko: Man hikes cross-Canada with his dog for mental health

Langley animal society helped the pair out while in town

Sarah Jones knew exactly who Ryan Giesbrecht and his dog, Nahko, were when she spotted them in her neighbourhood last week.

含羞草研究社淚 just saw him walking along Fraser Highway and almost screeched. I turned the car around, bringing my 11-year-old daughter with me, to meet him and ask if he needed anything,含羞草研究社 recalled Jones, executive director of Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).

She has been following Giesbrecht含羞草研究社檚 story since October, the Saskatchewan resident had started hiking across Canada to raise awareness for mental health by sharing his own story.

含羞草研究社淚 think what aligns with LAPS is that mental health impacts all of our staff, it含羞草研究社檚 a huge issue in our industry because we are constantly exposed to suffering or failure to animals,含羞草研究社 Jones explained.

含羞草研究社淢ental health is so multi-layered, so when someone who is sacrificing themselves to raise awareness I think it含羞草研究社檚 something we need to rally behind.含羞草研究社

Giesbrecht, a 36-year-old artist, took on hiking across Canada with his German Shepherd Husky mix, Nahko, seven months ago.

On his , Giesbrecht shares his personal story of mental health struggles and his suicide attempt. He discovered painting art helped him 含羞草研究社渇eel more like myself,含羞草研究社 he describes, and painting the wilderness and animals provided an escape.

含羞草研究社淚 developed a skill set in painting and started a small business painting dog portraits and all kinds of recreation of peoples loved ones and it helped me save the money to get started on this HUGE dream I had while in the hospital,含羞草研究社 Giesbrecht wrote.

He trained and prepared his body for seven years, right after he was discharged from hospital for his suicide attempt. He set out in June last year on his own, but adopted Nahko less than a month later who has been on the journey with Giesbrecht since.

含羞草研究社淗e said he wouldn含羞草研究社檛 be able to do this without Nahko, without that companionship,含羞草研究社 Jones recounted from her conversation with Giesbrecht. 含羞草研究社淎nd we see that everyday in the work we do, how people are bonded to their pets.含羞草研究社

By the time Giesbrecht crossed Langley, he was in need of tick medication for 11-month-old Nahko, and that含羞草研究社檚 where LAPS came in.

含羞草研究社淚 arranged a telephone appointment for him, because its a prescription, with Dr. Adrian Walton in Maple Ridge and brought Ryan the tick medication,含羞草研究社 Jones said.

She also donated some toys for Nahko and discussed tips Giesbrecht can do to keep Nahko calm when walking past big trucks, and some things to keep Nahko含羞草研究社檚 mind busy.

含羞草研究社淗e含羞草研究社檚 an active dog. His life has been this journey, he含羞草研究社檚 conditioned now for activity,含羞草研究社 Jones explained.

She described Nahko as a friendly dog, who was eager to keep moving forward with his companion.

Giesbrecht and Nahko went all the way to Tofino last month, and are making their way back east now through Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Hope.

People can follow Giesbrecht含羞草研究社檚 journey on his , Bushman Art.

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Kyler Emerson

About the Author: Kyler Emerson

I'm honoured to focus my career in the growing community of Aldergrove and work with our many local organizations.
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