Meet Katie Rapkoch

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Rapkoch. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Katie , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I like to say that my purpose found me; in the form of a sick, skinny, scared shelter dog looking up at me from behind the chainlink fence door of a 3×3 foot concrete kennel.

I adopted my soul pup, Champ, in 2013 after never having pets growing up. I had just moved into my first apartment all by myself and was in a place in my life where I desired companionship. I initially went to the Maricopa County Shelter to meet a different dog, but when we realized he wasn’t the right fit, the amazing county volunteer introduced me to a sweet boy named “Smudge”. He was extremely underweight, sick, and had a large cut on his nose from trying to escape his kennel. He pulled me like a freight train out to the meet and greet yard, and I knew we were meant for each other almost instantly.

Since that day, I have made it my mission to support, uplift, and love homeless animals in Maricopa County. I became a county volunteer, I’ve walked, fostered and networked hundreds of dogs, I’ve scrubbed kennels clean, and I’ve raised over $25,000 for local animal welfare organizations through donation-based yoga and wellness events. I even recently launched a virtual grief support platform for those who are struggling after the loss of a beloved animal companion, and I host donation-based grief support events with various rescues in the valley.

I struggled for much of my adult life searching for my purpose. What I didn’t realize was I only needed to follow my heart. And my heart will forever belong to a dog named Champ.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Through Paws + Breathe, I’ve created a space where healing, community, and compassion intersect — a space where people can care for themselves while caring for animals in need. What began as a couple of fundraisers here and there has grown into a heart-centered movement that brings people together through donation-based wellness events, all in support of homeless animals across Maricopa County. We offer yoga classes and mini-retreats all rooted in accessibility and impact. Every event is not only a chance to breathe and reconnect with yourself, but also a chance to directly support local rescues and the animals they serve.

One of the most special parts of this work is witnessing the way animals are truly instrumental to our health and well-being, and can also be our biggest heartbreak. That is what inspired the creation of With You Still, my newest offering. With You Still is a virtual grief support platform for those who are navigating the loss of a beloved animal companion. It’s a space for slowing down, giving ourselves compassion, and being supported through the deep ache of loss. Members have access to somatic practices, meditations, reflections, and intimate grief support circles — all created with intention, gentleness, and love. It’s a project born from my own grief after losing Champ in November 2023, and my desire to help others feel less alone.

At the heart of everything I do — whether it’s a yoga class in a rescue’s backyard, a mini retreat with other amazing local facilitators, or a quiet moment of remembrance during a grief circle — is the belief that healing is possible when we do it together. Champ was and will always be my biggest teacher, and his love guides every step that I take.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Collaboration has been everything. The events, the grief circles, the funds we’ve raised — none of it would have happened without community. Working alongside rescues, volunteers, practitioners, and supporters has taught me the power of shared purpose. If you’re early in your journey, start by building relationships; not just to get help, but to co-create something meaningful together. Be generous, show up for others, and trust that the right people will show up for you, too.

Patience and compassion for myself has also been key. This work can feel heavy at times. There have been so many moments of self-doubt, burnout, or questioning if it’s all “working.” Learning to offer myself grace, and to move at a sustainable pace and not expect perfection has helped me keep going. For anyone just starting, remember that growth isn’t always visible. Trust the small steps. They matter more than you know.

Lastly, a deep desire to make a meaningful impact really keeps me going. For me, that impact lives in both animal welfare and human healing. I believe we’re here to take care of one another, human and animal alike. If you’re building something, root it in service. Ask yourself how your work can uplift your community, not just your brand. That intention becomes your compass when things feel unclear.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

I absolutely love this question! As an end-of-life-doula with an intimate relationship with death, I believe we should all be thinking this way. If I only had 10 years left, I would absolutely continue my work, but in all honesty, I would take more vacations to soak up the beauty of the world that we live in. I would stay dedicated to building Champ’s (and my) legacy, and I would take it global! I would help more animals, meet more people, explore more places, but I would always come back home to my friends, my family, my comfy couch, and my sweet girl, Lilly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pawsandbreatheaz.com
• Instagram: @pawsandbreatheaz
• Other: The link to my With You Still sales page is pawsandbreatheaz.com/with-you-still

  If you could link to that where I mention it in the interview that would be awesome.