About

The Full Story

My name is Natalie Christensen. I am the founder, owner, and trainer of Sunflower Journey.

I’ve lived with chronic complex migraines and joint issues since elementary school. For years, my family and I struggled to find ways to manage my conditions. It wasn’t until eighth grade, after my first knee surgery, that things began to change, when I got Jezzebel, a spunky miniature schnauzer.

Over time, we noticed Jezzebel was alerting to my migraines and anxiety before I even realized what was happening. I began training her to become my service dog, but unfortunately, due to her own health challenges, she had to be retired early.

In high school, I dove deep into learning about service dogs and set out to train one on my own. But I quickly realized how limited my options were. Most programs were either only for veterans, had years-long waitlists, or didn’t cover the complex tasks I needed. As a civilian with multiple disabilities, I felt like I was slipping through the cracks, and at risk of losing my independence while trying to stay in college.

So, I built what I needed from scratch.

Over four years, I trained my service dog, Willow, to perform 15+ specialized tasks and advanced obedience skills. Through that journey, I discovered my passion for dog training, and a calling to help others who feel just as overlooked as I once did.

Sunflower Journey was born from that mission. I’m a LIMA-based trainer, which means I use the least intrusive, minimally aversive methods first, and only escalate when necessary. I welcome all training tools when used with proper education and intention, because the most important part of training is the relationship between you and your dog.

At Sunflower Journey, we focus on building bonds rooted in trust, confidence, affection, and respect. Whether it’s in-person training, board and train, or virtual sessions, we offer personalized, accessible programs to meet a wide range of needs, because everyone deserves the freedom and support that a well-trained service dog can bring.

Behind The Name

There’s deep meaning behind the name Sunflower Journey.

Sunflowers are a widely recognized symbol for invisible disabilities. In airports, stores, and other public places, staff are trained to recognize the small sunflower icon as a gentle signal: “I may need a little extra help.” It offers a way to communicate needs without having to explain or justify them, a quiet but powerful form of advocacy.

But the symbolism goes even further.

Sunflowers are known for their relationship with light. They follow the sun across the sky, always reaching toward brightness and warmth. And when the skies are cloudy, legend says that sunflowers turn to face each other, becoming the light for one another when the sun can’t be found. That message is at the heart of this journey.

Even more powerfully, when sunflowers grow heavy from rain or time, they don’t stand alone, they lean on each other for support. They form a community, holding one another up through the weight.

That's the heart of Sunflower Journey

Sunflower Journey represents growth, resilience, and community, a path toward healing and independence, even when the skies are gray. It’s a reminder that we’re never truly alone, and that sometimes, the light we need comes from those walking beside us. It’s about creating a space where people don’t have to carry everything by themselves. Where we lean on each other, lift each other up, and walk the journey together.

That is why Sunflower Journey is more than just a name, it’s a mission, a movement, and a safe space for transformation.

Mission

To empower the disabled community by providing the education, tools, and support needed to confidently owner-train their own service dogs, building independence, trust, and lasting partnerships along the way.

Vision

A world where every disabled individual has the confidence, knowledge, and support to train their own service dog, fostering freedom, dignity, and a deeper bond between human and dog.

Meet My Dogs

The hearts behind Sunflower Journey

Every journey starts with love, and for me, that love has four paws and a heartbeat. Each of my dogs has walked beside me through change, healing, and growth, shaping not only who I am as a trainer, but the very heart of Sunflower Journey. Their stories remind me that progress blooms through patience, understanding, and connection. A constant source of light.

Willow

Retired Service Dog and Trick Dog

Born in April 18th, 2021, Willow entered the world already destined to work, a Doberman-Husky mix with eyes that saw everything and a heart that met the world head-on. She came from a breeder who believed in purpose bred dogs, and when I met her, I felt that quiet pull, the sense that this wasn't just a puppy, but a partner waiting to grow beside me.

From the beginning, Willow stood out. She had a calm steadiness rare in working dogs, yet her spark was impossible to miss, a little sass tucked behind every focused gaze and patient command. She didn't just want to please, she wanted to understand. That balance of softness and determination became her signature.

Willow has walked beside me through every step of building Sunflower Journey, from our earliest training days to long hikes and moments of silent grounding. She's learned to read breath and motion, to offer presence where words can't reach. She reminds me daily that work and warmth can live in the same heartbeat, that discipline doesn't have to dim compassion

wherever she goes, she carries sunlight in her step, a reflection of everything that Sunflower Journey stands for: hope, resilience, and the gentle reminder that even the strongest souls can bloom with patience and love.

She is a multipurpose service dog that is task trained for my disabilities. She has multiple tasks but to name a few: Guide Work, Migraine Alert, Block, Cover, Watch, Retrievals, Behavior Interruption, Breathing Alerts and so much more.

She loves to go bikejoring, chase mice, swim in the water, and go for hikes.

On December 5th, 2025 Willow was unexpectedly diagnosed with osteoscarcoma and had to be retired early.

Accomplishments

~ ODMAD Obedience November 22nd, 2021

~ Trick Dog Novice (NTD) August 24th, 2023

~ Trick Dog Novice Masters (NTD-M) August 24th, 2023

~ Trick Dog Intermediate (ITD) September 22nd, 2023

~ Trick Dog Intermediate Masters (ITD-M) September 22nd, 2023

~ Triple Threat (T3) October 1st, 2023

~ Equinox Explorer 2023 October 1st, 2023

~ 2k9 October 14th, 2023

~ Trick Dog Hoops March 4th, 2024

~ Bunny Run 2024 March 10th, 2024

~ Summer Scavenger Hunt (SSH) July 22nd, 2024

~ Trick Dog Balls July 29th, 2024

~ Trick Dog Torch Relay August 19th, 2024

~ Trick Dog Fetch August 20th, 2024

~ Trick Dog Balance Beam October 18th, 2024

~ Trick Dog Pentathlon October 19th, 2024

~ SW Public Access Test September 27th, 2025

~ SW TSA Test January 4th, 2025

~ SW Program Test January 5th, 2025

~ Sunflower Journey Public Access Test May 10th, 2025

~ Sunflower Journey TSA Test August 13th, 2025

~ Sunflower Journey Program Test August 25th, 2025

Jezzebel

Retired Service Dog and Trick Dog

Born on September 1st, 2015, Jezze came into my life when I needed a spark of light the most. After a knee injury left me struggling to find balance, both physically and emotionally, she arrived with purpose. She was meant to be my emotional support animal, but she quickly became so much more: my teacher, my mirror, and a steady reminder that healing isn't always a straight path.

From the start, Jezze was a character all her own. Raised by cats, she learned their quiet confidence and share independence. She moves with a feline grace, curious and clever, but her heart beats with the fierce loyalty of a dog who has found her person. Small by might, Jezze greets the world with a spirit far bigger than her size, chasing birds, flushing out adventure, and never missing a beat when it comes to keeping me grounded.

When she turned four she revealed a gift I hadn't trained, an instinct to alert to my migraines and interrupt my anxiety before it spiraled. But not long after, we discovered she carried the same knee issues that I did. The path we thought we'd walk together in service work changed. Yet, even from home she continues her mission, still altering, still protecting, still loving.

Jezze may not wear a vest anymore, but her impact runs deep. She is the quiet heartbeat behind Sunflower Journey, the reminder that even when plans change, purpose doesn't fade,. Her story is one of devotion, resilience, and the kind of love that heals in its own gentle way.

Jezze loves to go on adventures, play with the ball, go on bike rides, chase birds, and cuddle