In 2019, Valley resident Kelly Mills saved a puppy who would become her lifelong adventure buddy—Khai. Her canine companion is known as a potcake, a mixed-breed dog native to the Caribbean islands. Driven by her rescue experience, which took her around the world, Mills founded AZ Outdoorsy Duo to connect with fellow potcake dog owners and promote awareness of dog rescue organizations.
Through her social media platform, she shares the beauty of Arizona’s landscapes while promoting dog-friendly adventures and inspiring others to explore, regardless of experience level.
Originally from New York, Mills and her family moved to Arizona in 1995 and she’s lived in the Valley ever since. With a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University, Mills has dedicated over 15 years to social services, working in the U.S. Senate for almost 10 years advocating for service members, veterans, and their families. Today, she continues that work in the private sector while pursuing her passion for outdoor exploration.
A social media journey rooted in adventure and rescue
While vacationing in Turks and Caicos, she rescued Khai through Potcake Place K-9 Rescue, a nonprofit organization with the mission of reducing the number of homeless potcakes on the island.
“I originally created the account with the intention to stay in touch with his brothers and sisters. I documented our training, hiking, and outdoor adventures and people really responded well to the content,” Mills said. “Now we get to experience and document all that Arizona has to offer together… We’ve had really cool adventures together across Arizona from paddleboarding to camping, hiking and kayaking.”
Her hope is that her experiences will encourage others to get started too.
Building a community of outdoor and dog enthusiasts
Mills posts are all about enjoying the outdoors and finding dog-friendly adventures.
“There are great outdoors (and pet-friendly) communities, especially here in Arizona,” Mills said. “I’ve built an amazing community with like-minded individuals who also enjoy taking their dogs with them… We learn together, share tips and encourage each other.”
With over 15 years as a social worker, she knows firsthand how important it is to make time for self-care. “Nature is my personal therapist… I spend most of my time outdoors hiking, camping and do a little bit of mountain biking too,” Mills shared. “Nature has its way of restoring peace of mind and being able to bring my dog with me and share my journey with my followers has been fun.”
Her message is simple: you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, paddleboarding, camping, stargazing or simply watching the sunset with your dog, it all has positive benefits.
Pushing boundaries and inspiring others
Mills has made it a personal goal to challenge herself, committing to at least one difficult hike per month.
“This year, I’m stepping way outside my comfort zone,” she shares. “Flatiron was my first challenge, which I conquered in early February," Mills said. “I was scared out of my mind, but it was totally worth it. Up next? In June, I’ll be tackling Humphrey’s Peak, the highest point in Arizona.”
She hopes her willingness to face these challenges will encourage others to push past their own fears. “I’m not here to call myself an influencer, but I am here to share my love for the outdoors and build a community of fellow adventurers,” Mills said. “Whether you’re facing your fears or just interested in getting started, I’m all about supporting and inspiring each other on this journey.”
Giving back through Hikes4Rescues
One of Mills proudest achievements has been launching Hikes4Rescues, an initiative designed to raise awareness and funds for animal rescue organizations through sponsored hikes. To date, she has supported over ten rescue organizations, both in Arizona and beyond.
For anyone interested in weekly, dog-friendly hikes they can reach out to Mills through Instagram at @azoutoorsyduo.
Lessons learned
Throughout her journey, Mills has learned valuable lessons about herself and the importance of authenticity.
“It’s so important to be honest with yourself about your own limitations and with your audience. Whether it’s knowing when to rest after a challenging hike or recognizing that not every outdoor adventure needs to be picture-perfect,” she shares. “I’ve come to understand that embracing my boundaries and being authentic with my journey makes it more meaningful… It’s a reminder that it’s okay to take things at your own pace.
“True growth happens when you're open and honest about what you can handle. This is especially true when social media tends to be glamorized and have very unreal expectations of day to day life.”
Her biggest takeaway? “Be yourself. It’s okay to make mistakes—that’s the beauty of the journey. Every misstep is a chance to grow, as long as you keep moving forward and never give up,” Mills said. “Let’s keep pushing our boundaries, laughing through the challenges, and most importantly, have fun along the way.”
For more information about the AZ Outdoorsy Duo and Hikes4Rescues visit azoutdoorsyduo.com/hikes-4-rescues. Follow @azoutdoorsydue on Instagram to stay up to date on Mills’ and Khai’s latest adventures.
