No. 033 | January 2026

DIGEST

DRAX ISSUE 33

JANUARY 2026

THE KELLY’S K9S ISSUE FINDING SAFETY, HEALING, AND PURPOSE // DOGGIE MEATBALLS

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DIGEST

DRAX CONTENTS

ISSUE 33

JANUARY 2026

04

FROM THE EDITOR

05

STORIES

05

Kelly’s Story

07

Finding Safety, Healing, and Purpose

09

The Businesses

11

PRIZE PARTY PHOTO GALLERY

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DOGGIE MEATBALLS

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FROM THE EDITOR The William J. von Liebig Foundation proudly named Kelly Sutliff, founder of Kelly’s K9s Tails of Courage, as the 5th winner of the annual, $25k von Liebig Prize, and celebrated her win on December 10th.

To say that Kelly has been through hell and back, and somehow managed to turn it into a source of light, would be an understatement. In researching this issue, I became intimately familiar with every facet of her story, which is available online. Most aspects of it are too dark to share in our light-hearted publication, but to truly understand the extent of her resilience, watch her courageously share her story on Episode 1 of Toxic on HBO Max. She turned her horrific domestic violence case into an opportunity to not only reclaim her power and strength but also help many other survivors do the same. She is the first prize recipient whose work significantly impacts and focuses not only on animals but also on people.

Other girls my age in high school would talk about how cute babies were, how they had baby fever after interacting with a newborn a teacher brought in, and how they couldn’t wait to be mothers. I have never been able to relate to that feeling. Ever.

I have never fallen victim to the baby fever epidemic, but puppy fever? A daily, if not hourly, occurrence.

And let me tell you, interacting with people who work with dogs professionally and creating this digest all about dogs is not helping one bit.

And there is no cure. I checked. For even after you get a dog, you will want another, and another, and another. So there truly is no hope for me. Might as well, haul me to the hospital on a gurney already, because the fever is spiking dangerously after compiling all the photos, ads, and doggy photos in addition to interviewing the incredible winner of our 5th annual von Liebig Prize.

I cannot be more thrilled to introduce you to this issue focused entirely on Kelly, her story, her nonprofit, and her work. In these pages, you will also find a QR code allowing you to donate to Kelly’s organization, Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, which is always in need of donations.

Thank you for being here and being a part of our story. Until next month!

With love, light, and gratitude,

Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF eleonora@svvl.net

Publisher

Editor-In-Chief

Michael Ennis

Eleonora Fogg

Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl.net!

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KELLY’S STORY Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence and Abuse

“I can still vividly remember thinking and feeling... I am going to die.”

December 16, 2019. The house we shared, my home, was ransacked and vandalized. I remember the dread settling in as I realized he could kill my dog right in front of me.

Irreplaceable belongings tied to the memory of both my parents were destroyed before my eyes. I was beaten, thrown, and strangled, consumed by fear and horror unlike anything I had ever known. When it was over, there were blood-stained walls and a hole in the sheetrock from where my head had hit.

But the truth is, the possibility of death had been there all along, hidden beneath lies, deceit, and manipulation that I didn’t yet see. What remained afterward revealed everything I hadn’t wanted to believe. I now know he pursued me with the intent to abuse me. He married me with the intent to control me. And I believe he drugged me, to make me sick, to render me unconscious, to violate me.

Even after the violence ended, the terror did not. Once legal proceedings began, the stalking followed, both physical and virtual. I lived in constant fear. Powerless.

Hopeless. Isolated. Out of control. Terrified all the time.

The abuse I endured didn’t end with him. It was magnified by the criminal justice and family court systems that failed to protect me. I reached out repeatedly, desperate for help, only to be told there was nothing anyone could do. I experienced firsthand what so many survivors know too well: a system that is deeply broken. It was at that lowest point, when I felt I had lost every ounce of safety and control, that I decided: I would find a way to take my life back.

Stella came into my life on August 6, 2020.

My first German Shepherd. My first trained protection dog. I remember the exact moment I met her. The trainer brought her out, and she sat down right beside me, calm, steady, and watchful. As I gently ran my hand along her back, a stranger began to approach. Without hesitation, Stella placed her paw across my ankle. It was subtle, protective, certain, as if she was telling me, I’ve got you now.

In that moment, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: safety. Real safety. Not just from danger, but from the fear that had been living inside me. I knew instantly that I needed her, not only for physical protection, but for my emotional healing.

Excerpt from Kelly’s K9s website; photos from Kelly’s K9s socials.

This is the reason Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage exists. I know what it feels like to live in constant fear, and I know what it feels like to finally breathe again. I want every survivor to know that feeling. Through this nonprofit, I hope to give other survivors the same chance I was given: A chance to stand tall again. To feel safe again. To reclaim control, confidence, and courage. To find themselves again through the love, loyalty, and protection of a dog who will stand by them, no matter what.

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SUPPORT

ABOUT KELLY AND KELLY’S K9S (WINNER OF THE 2025 VON LIEBIG PRIZE): With its mission to restore safety, healing, and empowerment to survivors of domestic violence, Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage provides trained protection dogs that offer both physical security and emotional support to individuals rebuilding their lives.

Since founding Kelly’s K9s, Sutliff has turned her own experience as a survivor into a powerful movement: she is committed to offering survivors of domestic violence a chance to reclaim control, confidence, and independence through the human-canine bond.

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FINDING SAFETY, HEALING, AND PURPOSE An Interview with the Founder of Kelly’s K9s Tails of Courage Eleonora Fogg, Editor (E): It is an absolute pleasure for us to interview you! Congratulations. To get to this point, you’ve gone through an extremely traumatic journey. Trauma healing doesn’t really stop—it’s something you continue working on for life.

How has your work with Kelly’s K9s impacted your own healing, in addition to helping other survivors?

Kelly Sutliff (K): Thank you! This has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I am so excited!

Helping other victims and survivors has absolutely helped my own healing journey in many ways. Being an advocate for survivors who are currently navigating the court system and serving as an example of someone who has lived through it has been incredibly healing for me.

Watching survivors go through their own healing journeys and being able to relate to one another creates a powerful sense of connection. And ultimately, working with the animals is healing for me every single day. The dogs gave me my passion for life back. Seeing what they do for other survivors—knowing that’s what they once did for me—is incredibly meaningful.

E: Do you get to work directly with the animals every day?

K: Yes. I have three personal protection dogs that I work with daily to maintain their training. I’m also very involved in the training for Kelly’s K9s alongside our master trainer, Bobby Gierla. I assist him directly, which means I work hands-on with survivors—not only as another survivor, but also by helping train their dogs.

E: One exciting development is the new program where survivors can train their own dogs instead of receiving a fully trained one. Can you tell us about that?

K: Absolutely! In January 2026, we’ll be officially announcing this expansion. Until now, we’ve provided survivors with fully trained protection dogs that we breed, raise, and train through Metro K9 Academy. But many survivors already have deep bonds with their own dogs, and we wanted to honor and foster those relationships.

We’re currently piloting the program with two survivors, and it’s going incredibly well. Starting in January, we’ll evaluate survivors’ dogs to determine if they have the potential for protection work. If Bobby determines a dog is suitable, Kelly’s K9s will fully cover the cost of that training, which I also help facilitate.

E: What qualities do you look for when determining if a dog can be trained as a protection dog?

K: Every dog is different, but there are key indicators. We look for strong food drive and high play drive—especially play drive.

Those are signs a dog wants to work and engage.

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We also look for a dog that enjoys learning and can be trained in obedience. The survivor doesn’t need to have already done extensive obedience training, but the dog needs to be receptive and motivated. Those qualities are critical for protection work.

E: How involved is it to maintain a protection dog’s training long-term?

K: It really varies. I train weekly with my dogs because one of them, Luca, competes in Schutzhund competitions, so ongoing training is essential. For survivors, weekly training isn’t required after the dog is fully trained—but periodic refreshers are important. Dogs are like people: if you stop practicing a skill, you may remember it, but you’re not at your best. Refresher sessions help maintain sharpness.

What’s been amazing is that many survivors fall in love with the training itself. It becomes their passion. They show up not just for the dog, but for themselves. And the community we’ve built around that is incredibly powerful.

E: Many people don’t really understand what “protection” means. What does a protection dog actually do?

K: There’s a massive misconception that protection dogs are aggressive. They’re not at all. These dogs have excellent obedience and are entirely under their handler’s control. They’re trained to protect their person, not themselves. They can bite on command, assess threats, and act if their handler is in danger—even if the handler can’t give a command.

They’re also highly social and stable. For example, my dogs won’t approach strangers on their own. But if I give permission, they’ll greet someone warmly. If I call them back, they immediately return. And if I were to issue a protection command, they would respond instantly—even if they had been friendly just seconds earlier.

E: That contrast is incredible. How do you train dogs to switch so seamlessly?

K: Training starts very early, often in puppyhood, and it’s built through prey drive. At first, it’s a game—fun and engaging. We use toys, tugs, and balls to build motivation.

As training progresses, we introduce a decoy to test the dog’s nerves and teach controlled biting using bite sleeves and suits. We also teach barking on command and alert barking. Often, barking alone is enough to deter a threat without ever needing a bite.

Everything is structured, controlled, and rooted in play and positive engagement.

E: Can you tell us about your transition from survivor to founder and trainer?

K: When I got my first protection dog, Stella, my life changed. Before her, I barely left my house for a year and a half. I was terrified. When Stella came home, I started walking around the block again. I went to stores. I began living. Training gave me confidence, empowerment, and purpose. I knew this was my life’s work. I fell in love with the training, the bond, and watching Stella grow.

Later, I raised my second dog, Luca, from eight weeks old and began competing. After years of healing and training, I realized that every survivor I spoke to shared the same fear—we don’t feel safe after leaving. And the system doesn’t protect us. That’s when I knew I wanted to give back. Helping survivors feel safe became my mission. That’s how Kelly’s K9s was born, which officially launched in October 2024.

E: Happy belated one-year anniversary! What does the future hold for Kelly’s K9s? What are some things you are looking for?

K: Thank you! Well, we’re always in need of donations—that’s how we fund this work. But my biggest dream is national expansion. We receive applications from survivors across the country, and the need is absolutely there.

Another major goal is spreading awareness. The more people know about Kelly’s K9s, the more survivors we can help—and the more support we can build.

Long-term, I’d also love to explore advocacy around public access or certification for protection dogs. It may require legislative work, but it’s important to change how society views protection dogs. They are some of the most well-trained, stable dogs you’ll ever meet.

E: Your work is truly inspiring. Thank you for everything you do—for survivors, for safety, and for redefining what healing can look like.

K: Thank you. It truly means everything.

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THE BUSINESSES

Bread Story Gingerbread? Panetonne? Bûches de Noël? Oh my! Bread Story did not hold back with wintery treats and masterpieces this year. Miss out?

Well, this is why following Bread Story on social media is so critical! How else will you learn about all the limited-edition seasonal goodies?

Don’t fret too much, though; King’s Cake season is around the corner! Grab a luxuriously delicious Galette des Rois, find the surprise hidden inside, and be a royal for the day. Let’s not forget that Valentine’s Day is coming too ;)

Burr Hall Farm The farm team is hard at work preparing for a season of new opportunities and possibilities! Summer will bring a small batch of produce, which we are already planning as we winter. We are also exploring building a beautiful farm store and partnering with local bakeries and coffee shops to supply them with the best honey in Middlebury, CT. Soon, the farm will boast beautiful paths through its woods for peaceful nature walks in spring, summer, and fall. Be prepared to visit!

Drax Productions Dreadful things have been finished! Yup. You heard that right: our feature film has been completed and will soon be on a cinema screen near you! Keep your eyes peeled, and lights on...

Wellness+ Studio New year, new resolutions! Have you been thinking about hitting the gym but just haven’t gotten to it yet? Well, this is a wellness sanctuary like no other. Personal training, acupuncture, recovery sessions, massage, flexibility and mobility training, skincare, IV drips, and Botox treatments all in one place? Yes. And it’s all personalized and tailored to you and your specific needs. So, come in for your complimentary assessment! We will help you hit those resolutions out of the park in no time.

The William J. von Liebig Foundation In case you haven’t guessed (or read), the William J. von Liebig Foundation has selected its fifth prize recipient: Kelly Sutliff!

We honored Kelly and her extraordinary work (highlighted in this issue) with a prize reception on December 10th in the Trianon room at the esteemed and reputable Carlyle Hotel in New York City. The evening was filled with beautiful jazz music, tasty hors d'oeuvres, vibrant laughs, and stunning gowns.

Kelly attended with Robert (Bobby) Gierla, Director of Training at Kelly’s K9s. We had the honor of welcoming them both to the von Liebig Prize community. Congratulations again on your win, Kelly. You are a massive inspiration to us all.

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THEMED TOY AND TREAT BOXES FOR YOUR PET

Every month

PRIZE PHOTO GALLERY

Ultimate Paw Protection: Defends & Nourishes Creates a protective barrier to shield paws from both extreme hot temperatures and icy salted pavement. A blend of all-natural waxes and oils helps to seal in moisture in paws.

Available on the Natural Dog Company’s website: www.naturaldog.com/products/pawtection-tin?variant=31461221204061 © 2025. All rights reserved. Natural Dog Company.

THE RECIPE Doggie Meatballs Recipe by the House That Barks Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients: 1 lb. (500g) ground beef 1 egg, slightly or ¼ (62.5g) applesauce, unsweetened 2 oz. (61.3g) low-fat yogurt ½ (48g) cup almond flour 1 TB (1.62g) chopped parsley, fresh or dried

Directions: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with all remaining ingredients and mix well.

3. Form into meatballs and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

5. Let cool and push in medicine or supplements as needed or desired.

6. Let your pup enjoy :) These meatballs can be used as training treats, mixed with dog food, or frozen for later use.

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www.thefarmersdog.com