Jim Nelson and Rene Agredano, Founders, Tripawds.com

Jim Nelson and Rene Agredano are a married couple who live, work and write from the road in their RV. Originally from the town of Eureka, California, their nomadic life began in 2007, when they sold their home, business and nearly everything they owned to travel with their terminally-ill dog, Jerry.

Given just a few months to live after his leg amputation, Jerry’s bone cancer diagnosis at age eight turned their lives upside down and around. But against all odds, he surprised everyone while defying the bleak prognosis and proving that he was living with cancer, not dying from it.

Jerry enjoyed two unforgettable years as the couple’s co-pilot, traveling from coast-to-coast and back again. Wherever he went, his joyful nature inspired others to look beyond adversity, embrace the present and spread kindness to others. He earned his angel wings at age ten, on October 3, 2008.

During their two-year road trip with Jerry, Jim and Rene were featured in the documentary “Nature: Why We Love cats and Dogs” which first aired shortly after Jerry’s passing, on PBS in February, 2009.

In 2006, the trio created a WordPress blog called “Tripawds.” Their therapeutic means of coping with Jerry’s amputation and cancer evolved into the world’s largest support community for three legged pets and their people. In 2014 they formed the non-profit Tripawds Foundation to directly aid amputee dogs and cats.

Today, Jim is a writer for the pets, travel and Internet marketing fields, as well as a graphic designer, and WordPress guru with expertise in website development, e-commerce, and email marketing. Rene creates pet-centric metal jewelry, and is a freelance writer focusing on amputee animal advocacy, pets and travel. The couple continues advocating for the health needs of amputee pets, managing the Tripawds community and chronicling their travels at liveworkdream.com.