A Life That Launched a Movement

In loving memory of Amelia, 2015–2025

Over Memorial Day weekend, the Amelia Air team came together in Washington, D.C. for a few days of strategy and planning — recharging our mission and envisioning the future of our rescue mission. A steady presence through every conversation and moment was our gentle mascot, our co-pilot, and the soul of our organization: Dean and Katy’s beloved Great Dane, Amelia.

After the team departed on Memorial Day, Dean and Katy took Amelia for a walk in one of her favorite parks — a quiet, green place she loved to explore. As she always did, she took in the sights and smells, tail wagging, simply enjoying the world.

Not long into the walk, as Dean and Katy sat nearby, Amelia lay down and began to breathe heavily. Within moments, she was gone — sudden, peaceful, and devastating. She passed in the sunshine, surrounded by the people who loved her most.

Her physical presence has left our lives, but her legacy will never fade. Amelia is the reason Amelia Air exists. She knew she had a purpose — and she fulfilled it thousands of times over. Because of her, more than 2,500 animals have taken flight toward safety and new beginnings. And because of her, we will continue.

Amelia was a true gentle giant, tipping the scales at over 160 pounds — but it was her heart that was largest of all. She was deeply intuitive, full of affection, and endlessly patient. She offered comfort to everyone she met, and she gave all of herself to the people and animals she loved. In her, we saw the best of what rescue can be.

Dean and Katy rescued Amelia shortly after their wedding. She had been neglected by an owner in southern Virginia. Her spirit was subdued at first — guarded, quiet — but that didn’t last long. Dean, already a Great Dane veteran, knew she was something special. When he and Katy flew down in a Cessna to meet her, they were still unsure how they would get such a large, scared dog into the plane. But Amelia made the decision for them: she leapt onto the wing, climbed into the plane, and curled up in the back as if she knew she belonged there.

That flight home was the beginning of everything. Because she loved to fly, Amelia was named after another pioneering aviator: Amelia Earhart.

She arrived remarkably malnourished, but immediately drawn to the comfort of the sun and a very loving home for the rest of her life. She shared a deep and quiet bond with Katy. They both sought out warm patches of sun, quiet moments of connection, and peaceful spaces to reflect. Amelia’s presence had a gravity — one that offered calm and reassurance. Her love for Dean and Katy’s grown children was immediate and full-hearted. In every sense, she was home.

In 2019, Amelia became the inspiration for Amelia Air when Dean and Katy shared her story with Petra. Together, they co-founded a rescue organization rooted in creativity, compassion, and the bravery to seek a better future. Six years later, we’ve flown thousands of animals to safety; launched spay and neuter clinics across the South and West; and built a community driven by the values Amelia embodied: courage, connection, and heart.

Amelia wasn’t just a mascot. She was a family member. A best friend. A symbol of what’s possible when love meets action. And now, in her name, we will carry her mission forward.

Today, we are launching the Amelia Legacy Fund, a tribute to the dog who inspired it all. Donations will go directly toward continuing the mission she sparked — flying shelter pets to safety, providing critical veterinary access, and building a future where no animal is left behind. This new fund will include a special allocation to rescue larger-than-life dogs like Amelia, who are the most at-risk in our nation’s shelters. We hope you will join us in honoring Amelia by donating to continue the mission she inspired. With your help, we will ensure Amelia’s legacy continues with every takeoff, every landing, and every life saved.

We will miss her forever. But she’s not gone — not really. She’s in every rescue story we tell. She’s in every nervous pup who climbs into a crate and flies toward a new life. She’s in every volunteer who chooses compassion. And she’s in all of us, who have been lucky enough to learn from her.

So cuddle your dogs a little longer today. Say yes to one more walk. Make space for one more animal in need. And when the work gets hard, remember Amelia — and why we keep going.

Until the day comes when rescue is no longer necessary, we fly for her.
We fly because of her.
And with your help, we will never, ever stop.

In gratitude,

Dean, Katy & The Amelia Air Force