Meet the Top Dogs
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Toby Joy Zelt
TOP DAWG
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Raven
PACK LEADER
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Jonah
HUNTER
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Wally
SILLY FACE
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Pup
INSPIRATION for WPA
Toby Joy Zelt, Owner.
The most experienced dog adventure leader in the PNW, leading multi-sport off-leash adventure club for dogs. Hiking, kayak swimming, dirt bike, e-mountain bike running, snow and more! The most epic dog daycare for Portland’s most loved Wild Pups. Adventure Club. Dog Adventures.
Toby started WPA in 2016, inspired by the terminal diagnosis of her best friend Pup (read below.) It came naturally for her, since wilderness adventures, primarily backpacking, were her greatest passion since her late teens. Before WPA was established, Toby’s professional background included wilderness, spiritual, experiential and ethics education and the administration of non-profits and schools.
She has undergraduate degrees in Philosophy, Gender Studies, and Psychology. Toby has two Masters Degrees within Philosophy and Religious Studies and Administration in Education. As a four-time Wilderness First Responder with NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School), she knows how to prevent and treat various emergency situations in the wilderness. She is also certified in Animal First Aid and CPR through the Red Cross. Toby is certified in Animal Psychology and is an Animal Reiki Practitioner. She has also received a number of other certifications in various areas of personal interest to her. For instance, Rebalancing Massage, ropes course facilitation, and Qi Gong. Through Wild Pup Adventures, she combines a few of her passions: dogs, nature, mindfulness, and exercise.
Jonah, All-Around Fun Guy
Jonah was adopted from Manteca animal shelter in California in 2022, after Toby saw him posted, repeatedly, on Instagram, counting down the days until he was euthanized. Her heart strings were pulled as the date of his death drew closer. He had been in the shelter for five months. After speaking with the staff and volunteers, and observing videos of him, Toby decided to take a chance and try to help him, by adopting him and bringing him to Oregon so he could work to train Jonah and then find him a permanent home. Once they met, Toby immediately saw that he was a misunderstood dog. After five lonely months in the shelter, Jonah deserved to have the happiest ending to his story. Now, he’s officially Toby’s dog and loves playing with all his friends during WPA’s activities.
Pup, The Inspiration for WPA
Pup is the inspiration behind Wild Pup Adventures. In her early 20's, Toby found Pup on the streets of Baltimore, Maryland. The two of them were inseparable throughout Pup's 14 year life, traveling all over North America together and doing as much as possible as a team on a daily basis. Together, they travelled and backpacked some of our country's most beautiful natural places, spending months together in tents on top of mountains, and traveling and living in camper-vans and trailers. They also spent months exploring the wilderness of Washington and Oregon. Once Toby settled down a bit more, Pup used to commute to work with her by running next to Toby’s bike and then Pup spent each day at the office. One memorable local experience was climbing Mt. Adams together when Pup was 13 years old. At age 14, when Pup was given 5 months to live, after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Toby changed her career path so that she could spend every last minute with her. Pup passed away in July 2016 and is forever in Toby's heart. WPA was Pup's last gift to Toby.
Raven, Pack Leader
Raven was rescued from Standing Rock Reservation, during the pipeline protests, by Toby’s friends. Only 5 months after Pup’s death, Toby wasn’t ready for love again, and doubted she could even find a dog she connected with as much as with Pup. But when her friends posted that they found a dog wandering the plains, and needed a foster home, she couldn’t help but open her heart to a very skinny, very sick black dog. When they first met, Toby looked into Raven’s eyes and it was clear through their connection that they were meant to be together. Toby could see that there was something very special about her. Raven has a complex and deep intelligence. A couple of weeks after her rescue, Raven also gave birth to 7 puppies. She began her life in a whole new world than she was used to. Raven is now an essential leader for every pack. Her skills are remarkable and intelligence impressive. Raven shows her pack where to go, where not to go, how to act appropriately, and mentors newcomers. You’ll find Raven at the front of the pack, commanding respect.
