For National Pet Week, we’re featuring Michelle, CEO of CompanAIn, and her dog Ralston. Their story reflects the power of the human-animal bond and the value of proactive, science-based support as dogs move through adulthood and beyond.
Q: To start, can you tell us about Ralston and what she is like in everyday life?
A: Ralston is not your average 7-year-old Golden Retriever. She’s extremely opinionated, endlessly devoted, and fiercely loyal to her pack. While we’re mindful about limiting grains in her diet, she would still choose bread over just about anything, and nothing brings out her Irish Setter genes like a wide open field to run through. She has a few faults (though we still view as perfections): She snores, isn’t particularly affectionate, and is highly allergic to chicken—but she greets our family as if we’ve been gone for years every single time we walk through the door. We are her whole world, and in return, we treat her like the queen she is. We often say she’s the rock of our family
Q: What does Ralston mean to you personally—how would you describe your bond with her?
A: Ralston is my soul dog, without question. She was my first child, before I had human babies, and she came into my life at a moment when I truly needed her. She reminded me what unconditional love feels like. She can sense my heartbeat, and we both struggle with separation anxiety when we’re apart! She’s by my side when I’m sick, hurting, or celebrating, and she has been my constant through every phase of my life. I started CompanAIn because I wanted to give her a stronger voice in her own care. She lives for our family and we would do anything for one more day with her.
Q: Can you share a recent moment that really stood out to you and reflected your connection or joy together?
A: Honestly, every day with Ralston feels like a gift. Recently, I woke up to find her upside down, her usual position, with her fuzzy toes in the air. I recall thinking, this is what heaven must feel like. Knowing Ralston, that position means she feels safe, comfortable, and completely at peace. To experience that level of trust and connection is something I never take for granted. It’s priceless.
Q: As Ralston has gotten older, what changes—big or small—have you noticed in her daily habits or routines?
A: Ralston is seven now, and we started her on Leap Years® about two years ago. We live near the beach, which is one of her favorite places. She loves running along the sand and swimming. Before Leap Years®, we started noticing early arthritic-like stiffness after those activities, and it felt far too soon for her to be experiencing that. Since starting Leap Years®, her activity and vitality have completely changed. She moves better now than she did at five, and keeping her active and comfortable as she ages has been incredibly important to us.
Q: What led you to start exploring more proactive ways to support Ralston’s healthy aging journey?
A: Ralston made it clear early on that waiting for something to go wrong wasn’t enough. I wanted to support her before problems became permanent, especially as she entered a new stage of life. As both a dog parent and someone deeply involved in health and technology, I believe proactive care is the greatest gift we can give our animals. Supporting longevity and quality of life matters just as much as treating illness. We don’t like to view aging as a number.
Q: When you first came across Leap Years®, what stood out to you or made you decide to try it?
A: What stood out immediately was the science-forward approach and the focus on cellular health and longevity, not symptom management. I take the same approach in my own health. Leap Years® felt aligned with how I think about aging: support the body at a foundational level and invest early. It wasn’t about chasing a quick fix with Band-Aid care, but about giving Ralston a better chance at staying active, curious, and happy for as long as possible.
Q: As CEO of CompanAIn, how do you think about the role of technology and science-based care in shaping the future of how we support pets like Ralston as they age?
A: I believe the combination of technology and science-based care, especially in a world where AI is advancing so quickly, gives us the opportunity to continue learning with and from our companions in ways we never could before. There is still so much left to explore around aging, longevity, and quality of life in animals.
When used responsibly, technology helps us listen better. It allows us to connect patterns over time, surface early signals, and support veterinarians and pet parents with clearer context, not replace clinical judgment. Science-backed supplements, like Leap Years®, paired with intelligent technology, empower pet parents to be proactive and thoughtful partners in care. That’s the future I’m building toward: one where we keep learning, keep improving, and keep giving our animals the healthiest, fullest lives possible.
Q: Looking at your experience with Ralston, what does a “good aging journey” look like for her in the years ahead?
A: A good aging journey for Ralston means movement, comfort, curiosity, and joy. It means long walks, beach days, and feeling strong in her body. It means catching changes early, supporting her proactively, and making thoughtful choices that honor who she is. Most of all, it means preserving the bond we share and giving her a fulfilled and healthy life—for as long as she’s willing to walk it with us (she is stubborn!). We want Ralston, and all companions to go beyond just surviving, and to thrive.
Taking a proactive approach to your dog’s health also means having the right insights to make informed decisions. That’s where platforms like CompanAIn come in. CompanAIn helps pet parents better understand, manage, and support their dogs’ health at home and in between vet visits. With intelligent technology and personalized, contextual resources, the platform empowers pet parents to capture changes, anticipate needs, and act confidently.
Love for your dog isn’t about one holiday on the calendar, it’s in the little things you do every day. Walks, playtime, cuddles, healthy meals, and consistent wellness all add up to happier, healthier years together.
