Welcome to Nona’s Way
Honoring first responders still carrying invisible wounds, and remembering those who lost the battle before help could reach them.
Nona’s Way began as a 780-kilometer walk along the Camino de Santiago with my dog, Nona.
We walked to honor first responders carrying the invisible weight of trauma, exhaustion, and isolation after years of service. Along the way, the Camino became more than an awareness walk. It became a reminder that healing often begins slowly: one step, one conversation, one companion, one shared journey at a time.
Today, Nona’s Way continues through stories, resources, community, and future adventures that invite honest conversations about resilience, recovery, and the many paths to healing. The Camino ended. Nona’s Way has not.
If this resonates, you’re welcome to walk with us.
Hi, I’m Nona! 🐾
When I was just three months old, I almost died. But I didn’t. And Mom says I was saved for a reason.
In the spring of 2026, Mom and I walked 780 kilometers across Spain. We called it Nona’s Way — named after me! It was a walk to honor first responders. Because sometimes the strongest people carry the heaviest things. And sometimes, they don’t know how — or when — to lay them down. So we walked for them. For those still carrying pain. And for those we’ve already lost.
We followed the French route of the Camino de Santiago across Spain, through the Pyrenees Mountains and beyond. A place my ancestors once roamed. (Did I mention I’m half Great Pyrenees?)
The walk may be over, but the mission continues. Nona’s Way is about presence, healing, and paying attention. It’s about putting one paw in front of the other and walking together — even when the road is hard.
Thanks for being here. If you’d like to follow along, we’d be honored to have you walk beside us.
Nona’s Watch
Rest on our watch.
Nona’s Watch is a Nona’s Way project created to offer a first responder who could use a little room to breathe a quiet weekend away.
For our inaugural Watch, Tall Pine Grove and Mozark Fishscapes are gifting one selected first responder a two-night stay in the Ozark Mountains and a guided fly-fishing experience.
Nominations are now open.
Nona’s Camino Adventure Book Project
Inspired by our real 780-kilometer walk across northern Spain, Nona’s Way: The Search for the Perfect Stick is a story about curiosity, companionship, and learning to walk together.
When Nona joined me on the Camino de Santiago, she had one very important question: Would there be sticks? Through mountains, vineyards, cities, fields, streams, and forests, Nona searched for the perfect stick and discovered that the best journeys are the ones we share.
Free resources for families, teachers, librarians, homeschool groups, and book clubs are coming soon through Nona’s News.
Learn more about Kemmi and Nona’s journey.
Too many go without support because of stigma, time, or access. Through Nona’s Way, we’re raising awareness.
Want to walk with us?
You can follow our journey, join our mailing list, share our mission, or support future Nona’s Way projects. Every step helps keep the conversation moving forward.
Why Nona’s Way Exists
Nona’s Way began as a 780-kilometer walk along the Camino de Santiago with my dog, Nona. We walked to honor first responders carrying the invisible weight of trauma, exhaustion, and isolation after years of service.
Along the way, the Camino became more than an awareness walk. It became a reminder that healing often begins slowly: one step, one conversation, one companion, one shared journey at a time.
Today, Nona’s Way continues through stories, resources, community, and future adventures that invite honest conversations about resilience, recovery, and the many paths to healing.
If this resonates, you’re welcome to walk with us.
The Reality First Responders Face
Behind Nona’s Way is a serious reality: many first responders carry the weight of repeated trauma, chronic stress, and isolation for years. Nona’s Way exists to help make these conversations easier to begin through story, movement, nature, companionship, and shared adventure.
- PTSD: About 1 in 7 first responders (14.3%) worldwide live with probable PTSD.
- Depression: Roughly 1 in 3 first responders (31%) experience depression in high-stress emergency settings.
- Suicide: Emergency and protective service workers die by suicide at a rate of 22.4 per 100,000, higher than many other professions.
- Alcohol Use: About 1 in 4 first responders (26%) screen positive for hazardous alcohol use.
Support
Help keep Nona’s Way moving forward through storytelling, outreach, resources, and future healing-focused projects.
Shop
Visit our shop for available Nona’s Way items and future project updates. Visit our shop.
Nona's News
Join Nona’s News for Camino stories, book updates, free resources, and future adventures with Nona.