Dogs have been called “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are emotional support and protection for their owners. Non-profit organization Kelly’s K9s has recognized that and has created a program where these pets can be a friend and support for people who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. Read the full article: https://thelocalgirl.com/bergen/kellys-k9s-tails-of-courage-organization-new-jersey/

Kelly is a domestic violence survivor whose story was featured in Toxic: Sleeping with a Stranger on Hulu. She is an incredible human being, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for her strength, courage, and determination. Listen to podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFHwqSWp248

Protection dog demonstrations, self-defense classes, family activities and a spirit of healing brought survivors, supporters and local families together Saturday as Kelly's K9s, Tails of Courage hosted its Open House at the Hanover Township Community Center in Whippany. Read the full article: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hanover-township/articles/saturday-open-house-highlights-more-than-dog-training

An uncharacteristically rainy, dank May day did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Whippany resident and domestic violence survivor Kelly Sutliff, who was hosting a training session at her home as part of Kelly’s K9s: Tails of Courage, the nonprofit she created following her own experience with abuse. Read the full article: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hanover-township/sections/local-interest/articles/hanover-resident-turns-trauma-into-a-mission-driven-non-profit-for-surviv

After she escaped a near-death violent struggle with her ex-husband in December 2019, Kelly Sutliff was afraid to leave her house. She took a leave of absence from work and the only places she went were two nearby stores. Even when she left the house for a brief period of time, Sutliff made sure she told her neighbors exactly where she was going. Read full article: https://www.nj.com/morris/2026/05/this-nj-domestic-violence-survivor-got-her-life-back-thanks-to-protection-dogs

A year to the day after her story aired on national television, a Hanover Township resident is using her experience to show that what happens in the past does not define what comes next.

Kelly's K9s is a nonprofit that matches professionally trained protection dogs with survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.

Kelly was stalked by the man she escaped. She thought leaving would end the violence. Instead, it escalated. The relationship was over—but the monitoring, intimidation, and constant fear of being watched had only just begun. As she navigated restraining orders and safety plans, Kelly was forced to rebuild her life in a world that no longer felt safe. Years later, she would finally speak publicly about what happened—and turn that trauma into something powerful: training person

“This dog was meant to be with me. I knew my life was going to change…no words to describe it” said Kelly Sutliff, founder of Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, a non-profit organization that provides assistance for domestic violence assault survivors. Kelly grew up in East Hanover and notes her experiences as a domestic assault survivor, animal (dog) lover, and helper of people who have experienced the crisis of domestic violence. Read the article here: https://www.mypaperonline

In the final chapter of Kelly’s story, she shares how surviving a brutal murder attempt led her to a life-saving protection dog — and ultimately to founding Kelly’s K9s, a nonprofit helping domestic violence survivors reclaim their safety, freedom, and power. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ex-wives-undercover-liars-cheaters-love-cons/id1536067021?i=1000751175880

In Part 3 of this true domestic violence survivor story, Kelly reveals how the abuse didn’t end after the night her husband tried to kill her—it followed her into the courtroom. As she fights for protection and justice, Kelly is forced to confront a legal system that she believed would keep her safe, but instead leaves her feeling exposed, retraumatized, and powerless. What unfolds is a devastating continuation of abuse through legal battles, manipulation, and a process that

In Part 2 of this true domestic violence survivor story, Kelly describes the night her husband tried to kill her. After discovering the truth about his secret life, the confrontation turns violent, leaving Kelly injured, terrified, and fighting to survive. In the aftermath, she faces an equally devastating battle—trying to get help from a legal system that fails to protect her. Kelly shares the physical and psychological abuse she endured, her struggle to be believed, and the

As originally told on Discovery ID's show, Toxic, Kelly believed she had learned to trust her instincts. A licensed therapist and homeowner who had already survived profound loss, she thought she had finally found the perfect partner when she met Chris—charming, attentive, and deeply loving, with no obvious red flags. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ex-wives-undercover-liars-cheaters-love-cons/id1536067021?i=1000747856546

Kelly Sutliff has always had a close connection with dogs. “In my family, we had dogs, and I grew up with dogs, and I just loved animals,” Sutliff, a Whippany resident, said. “I always have, specifically dogs.” Read article: https://www.newjerseyhills.com/hanover_eagle/news/how-a-hanover-resident-is-connecting-domestic-violence-survivors-with-protection-dogs/article_5318b1b5-6ce1-4725-8d70-af4fcc48691f.html

In this powerful episode, Kelly Sutliff shares her harrowing journey of survival and healing after a traumatic domestic violence incident. Joined by Terra Newell, they discuss the eerie parallels between Kelly's experience and the true crime series "Dirty John," the challenges of navigating the justice system, and the transformative role of protection dogs in her recovery. Kelly's story is a testament to resilience and the importance of trusting one's instincts. Tune in to he

Kelly Sutliff, Founder of Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, is the 2025 Prize Recipient of The William J. von Liebig Prize, an extraordinary honor recognizing leadership that bridges human and animal welfare. Kelly transformed her own experience as a survivor of domestic violence into a powerful movement rooted in safety, healing, and empowerment. Established in October 2024, Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage provides trained protection dogs that offer both physical security and emo

As shared in part one of her story, Kelly Sutliff is a survivor, founder of the nonprofit Kelly’s K-9’s: Tails of Courage, and a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey. In 2018, after a devastating grief journey, Kelly decided to return to her search for a life partner. It wouldn’t be long before she met a government contractor promising her the future she desired. However, her entire life changed on December 16th, 2019, when the loving relationship she had been cult

Kelly Sutliff is a survivor, founder of the nonprofit Kelly’s K-9’s: Tails of Courage, and a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey. In 2018, after a devastating grief journey, Kelly decided to return to her search for a life partner. It wouldn’t be long before she met a government contractor promising her the future she desired. However, her entire life changed on December 16th, 2019, when the loving relationship she had been cultivating with her new husband ended v

In this episode, I talk to the amazing Kelly Sutliff, a psychotherapist, a DV survivor, and the founder of a nonprofit, Kelly's K9s. She was married for only 11 months, with no joint assets and no children, but her divorce took over 4 years. After the first and only instance of physical abuse, a series of horrific instances that were meant to end her life, Kelly hit rock bottom in the aftermath of this episode. But she managed to climb back out and has created a life that she

In Part II, Kelly opens up about the legal battle, the media spotlight, and how she found purpose after trauma. Heather and Brooklyn dive into the deeper aftermath of abuse, the power of reclaiming your story, and the life-saving work Kelly’s doing today through her nonprofit, Kelly’s K9s: Tails of Courage, which provides trained protection dogs to survivors of domestic violence—free of charge. Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/159-kelly-sutliff-has-big-dog-e