It’s no surprise that Kinsey’s path would eventually lead to a career in the animal world. Growing up on a farm right outside of beautiful Boulder, CO, animals have always been one of the most important parts of Kinsey’s life. Whether she was making top of the line mud puddles for the pigs, boogie boarding Corgi’s down the creek, bottle feeding newborn cows, or helping her mom deliver baby horses (also referred to as being on “Foal Patrol”), her childhood activities were centered around livestock.

Kinsey stayed local for college and became a proud 3rd generation University of Colorado Buffalo, where she earned a degree in Integrative Physiology. Throughout her time in college, she kept her passion for horses alive, winning numerous championships for the Buffs equestrian team. Beyond college, Kinsey’s goal had always been to have a career in the medical field. After spending several years working in various clinical settings however, she decided medicine wasn’t the right path and instead revisited her love for animals. Together with Sam, she decided to combine their love of Poodles with the Bernese Mountain Dogs she was raised with, and carry out their own version of the family business. And so, Haystack Mountain Bernedoodles was born!

Kinsey loves what she does for a multitude of reasons. First and foremost, animals are her passion, and having the ability to maximize their health, upbringing, coloring, etc. through our breeding program is both exciting and stimulating. Being able to work on, and grow that vision with her husband every single day is very fulfilling. Best of all, the results of their hard work are beautiful, happy puppies that she gets to love on for two months before uniting them with wonderful new families. Kinsey loves meeting and getting to know the families who will eventually be part of the Haystack Mountain community, and she is grateful for the opportunity to carry on a family business that allows her to do so.

Sam is one of the many California kids that now reside in Colorado (potentially upsetting the sacred balance of “Transplants” to “Natives”). After earning a BS and MS in Exercise Science, he moved to pursue his career in health and figured there was no better place than the fittest city in the country, Boulder. One day while working at Colorado Athletic Club, Sam looked across the gym and saw Kinsey, the newest addition to the Personal Training team, and a month later they shared their first date. Coincidentally enough, Sam and Kinsey’s first dog Claire was born the next week! His love for Berners began there, and his interest in breeding grew more and more as he got to know Kinsey’s family.

Soon after Sam and Kinsey were married, they purchased their first home and began a life together in Mead. Still working as a trainer, he noticed his new wife’s interest drawing more and more back to the animals she grew up with. Her energy excited Sam, and after much discussion they finally decided to take the leap and start Haystack Mountain.

Although he never would have expected this as his future career, he loves the program he and his wife have created, and enjoys learning more about breeding every single day. To him, it’s the ultimate family business working side by-side with his wife, in a trade learned from her mother, to produce happy puppies that then go home to loving families. It really doesn’t get much better for him!