Adapting & Adventuring: The Story of Bree & Elle

Bree and Elle have been inseparable since the day they met — Elle, a 9-week-old Saint Bernard puppy joining Bree, a grad student in the thick of her physical therapy program. From late-night study sessions in Chicago to sun-soaked trails in San Diego, their bond has only deepened with time, shaped by years of shared adventure, quiet companionship, and unwavering loyalty.

“Elle and I have lived a very full life of travel and adventure,” Bree says. “She helped me graduate PT school, get through a pandemic, and move across the country to California.”

That connection only grew stronger this year when Elle faced a sudden, life-changing diagnosis that left her without the use of her back legs. But giving up wasn’t an option. With love, resourcefulness, and a little help from a wheelchair and some trail-tested gear, Bree and Elle found a new way forward together.

An Unexpected Challenge and a New Way Forward

Up until this year, Elle was a completely healthy dog. But in April 2025, Bree began to notice Elle struggling with sleep and the movement of her back legs. Within a few weeks, Elle had lost the ability to use her back legs completely. 

After a visit to a trusted vet in Tijuana, Bree was faced with devastating news: a disc herniation at L7-S1 and a cancerous lesion in Elle’s T12 vertebrae. The vet proposed surgery to correct the herniation and recommended palliative care or euthanasia for the cancer. 

After grappling with what to do next, a heartfelt message from a friend inspired Bree’s decision.

“My friend said, ‘Even if they say she has only 8 months, do everything you can.’ Just moments after that, Elle used what little strength she had and stood up in the back of the car and put her head out of the window. I knew she was not ready to go yet.”

With her background in physical therapy and human biomechanics, Bree saw a third option: adaptive care. She got to work researching canine wheelchairs and gear to support Elle’s needs. One month later, Elle was rolling on four wheels and reclaiming her joy. 

“It has been exactly one month since she has been a wheelchair user and she has adapted quite well,” Bree says. “She is still a happy girl with the same eagerness to live.”

The Right Gear for an Adaptive Life

Adventure looks a little different now, but Bree and Elle haven’t slowed down. Their outings include walks, short hikes, camping, mental stimulation games, and car travel. 

“Our day to day looks just like anyone else’s, just with a set of wheels. There are challenges as extra accommodations are needed, but I love it,” Bree says.

Much of their freedom comes down to having the right gear, and for Bree, Ruffwear was a clear choice. 

“When it came to choosing gear for Elle, because of the durability and look, Ruffwear was an easy choice,” Bree explains. “I also value that everything I use for Elle is also used by dogs without adaptive needs. So much of what is out there for adaptive dogs works well but looks like a piece of medical clothing, whereas Ruffwear looks like it’s time for an adventure.”

At the core of Elle’s adaptive setup is the Doubleback™ Full Body Dog Harness, which Bree uses to lift and stabilize Elle securely.

“This is the only harness I have found that has a solid build and allows me to have control of both Elle’s fore and hindlimbs,” Bree says. “As a climber myself, I appreciate the climbing grade construction.”

For traction and paw protection, Elle wears Summit Trex™ Dog Shoes — gear that became critical when her front legs became her only power source. She has even started to use her back legs again in her chair, and these boots keep her nails from filing down to the quick when they drag on the concrete. 

When they’re on the go, the Basecamp™ Foldable Dog Bed provides a comfortable surface for Elle to relax on. Its portability and easy-cleaning construction make it a go-to solution for everything from road trips to post-adventure rest. 

And lastly, the Roamer™ Bungee Dog Leash and Crag™ Reflective Dog Collar have been with this dog-human duo for years, and because of their durability, it has made Bree a firm believer in Ruffwear gear.

Rolling Onward

Bree’s resourcefulness and Elle’s resilience have turned a devastating diagnosis into a new kind of freedom, and their bond grows stronger with each new challenge.

“Having a companion as loving as Elle has been the greatest gift to my life. Since her injury, our connection has grown even stronger,” Bree says. “I am learning from her every single day.”

You can follow Bree and Elle’s journey on Instagram @drbreenish.