From Grant Application to the Trail: How We Helped Fund National-First Adaptive Dog Sledding

At Highline Virtual LLC, we often talk about numbers, deadlines, and compliance. But behind every successfully funded grant is a human story; a moment of breakthrough, a barrier shattered, and a community transformed.

Recently, we had the privilege of partnering with an extraordinary client: CAST Outdoor Adventures Inc., located in the Boreal Waters service area near Ely. CAST operates the only dog kennel in the entire nation specifically designed and operated to serve differently-abled people, offering fully accessible, adaptive dog sledding and dry-land experiences.

For individuals with spinal cord injuries, Spina Bifida, and other mobility challenges, standard outdoor recreation often leaves them on the sidelines. CAST changes that, turning participants into active, driving forces behind the sled rather than passive observers.

The Challenge and the Vision

While the vision was powerful, bringing it to life required critical resources. CAST needed funding to:

• Improve wheelchair access directly to the kennel.
• Acquire specialized adaptive dry-land dog sled equipment.
• Provide participant assistance funding so financial hurdles wouldn’t stand in the way.

The Impact

Through strategic grant writing and a shared dedication to their mission, we helped secure approximately $35,000 in grant funding in 2025 alone.

The impact of these funds goes far beyond equipment. It opens doors to the freedom, joy, and sense of belonging that come from being fully included in the outdoors. The results speak for themselves: in past programs, 100% of surveyed participants noted that physical exercise is vital to their health, and 78% reported a high likelihood of continuing outdoor recreation long after the trip ends.

As one participant with Spina Bifida beautifully captured the heart of this work: “Making sure all people with disabilities have the chance to go outdoors.” Another shared after a challenging journey, “The trip was rough, but the feeling of finishing was amazing.”

This is why we do what we do. At Highline Virtual LLC, we don’t just write grants, we are the steady support behind your success.

Ready to turn your organization’s vision into funded reality? Contact us today!