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.

“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

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

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

It was on May 5 when New Jersey-based psychotherapist Kelly Sutliff was featured on the debut episode of the Investigation Discovery (ID) true crime show “Toxic” — the six-part docuseries which sees television personality and entrepreneur Elizabeth Chambers exploring the complexities of toxic and traumatic relationships. Read article: https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/local-true-crime-podcast-to-feature-survivor-from-id-docuseries-toxic/article_395b7db8-35c6-568d-

We are deeply honored to share that our founder, Kelly Sutliff, was featured in the premiere episode of Toxic, a national documentary series that aired on Investigation Discovery (ID) and is streaming on HBO Max and Hulu. ​ Kelly appeared in Episode 1, “Sleeping With a Stranger,” which premiered on May 5th, 2025, and marked the first time she shared the full truth of what she survived. The episode was raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal. ​ Alongside her was her protection