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

B次元官网网址淚 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,B次元官网网址� recalled Jones, executive director of Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).

She has been following GiesbrechtB次元官网网址檚 story since October, the Saskatchewan resident had started hiking across Canada to raise awareness for mental health by sharing his own story.

B次元官网网址淚 think what aligns with LAPS is that mental health impacts all of our staff, itB次元官网网址檚 a huge issue in our industry because we are constantly exposed to suffering or failure to animals,B次元官网网址� Jones explained.

B次元官网网址淢ental health is so multi-layered, so when someone who is sacrificing themselves to raise awareness I think itB次元官网网址檚 something we need to rally behind.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址渇eel more like myself,B次元官网网址� he describes, and painting the wilderness and animals provided an escape.

B次元官网网址淚 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,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淗e said he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be able to do this without Nahko, without that companionship,B次元官网网址� Jones recounted from her conversation with Giesbrecht. B次元官网网址淎nd we see that everyday in the work we do, how people are bonded to their pets.B次元官网网址�

By the time Giesbrecht crossed Langley, he was in need of tick medication for 11-month-old Nahko, and thatB次元官网网址檚 where LAPS came in.

B次元官网网址淚 arranged a telephone appointment for him, because its a prescription, with Dr. Adrian Walton in Maple Ridge and brought Ryan the tick medication,B次元官网网址� 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 NahkoB次元官网网址檚 mind busy.

B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 an active dog. His life has been this journey, heB次元官网网址檚 conditioned now for activity,B次元官网网址� 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 GiesbrechtB次元官网网址檚 journey on his , Bushman Art.

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