Stephanie Skrede

My Story

Stephanie Skrede is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Tethered By Grace Inc., where she combines a lifelong passion for helping others with her unwavering love for dogs and the people whose lives they enrich.

A licensed cosmetologist, published author, and lifelong advocate, Stephanie has always found joy in building relationships, educating others, and serving her community. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a devoted wife to her husband, Arvid, and a proud mother of four children. Family has always been at the center of her life, and that family extends well beyond the people in her home. Their dogs are cherished members of the family, and Stephanie jokingly says she's just as proud of her "grand puppies," eagerly following their lives and milestones through the families who have welcomed them home.

Stephanie's life has been shaped by experiences that strengthened her compassion and commitment to advocacy. After her youngest daughter was diagnosed with biliary atresia as an infant and later received a living donor liver transplant, Stephanie became a dedicated advocate for children and families navigating complex medical journeys. She has served on numerous patient and family advisory committees, helping improve healthcare experiences and ensuring that patient and caregiver voices are heard.

Her own journey as a breast cancer survivor further reinforced the importance of resilience, hope, and community. These experiences have inspired her to approach every challenge with empathy while recognizing the incredible healing power of both human connection and the unconditional love of animals.

Stephanie's involvement in the dog community began as a guardian for Central Wisconsin Bernedoodles, Bernedoodle Boutique, and Bernese Boutique. What started as an opportunity to help raise exceptional dogs quickly became a lifelong passion. She developed a deep appreciation for responsible breeding, early puppy development, canine education, and the lasting relationships formed between breeders, dogs, and their families. Watching puppies grow and continue to thrive in their forever homes only strengthened her belief in the lifelong bond between people and dogs.

As a published author, Stephanie also has a passion for sharing stories and experiences that educate, inspire, and encourage others. She believes that knowledge becomes even more powerful when it is shared with compassion, a philosophy that influences both her writing and her leadership within Tethered By Grace.

Together with Jessica Tritz, Stephanie helped establish Tethered By Grace with the vision of creating a trusted nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the bond between dogs and people through education, advocacy, community connection, and compassionate support. She believes every dog owner deserves access to credible resources, encouragement, and a welcoming community regardless of where they are in their journey.

As Vice President, Stephanie plays an integral role in developing educational resources, overseeing organizational operations, building community partnerships, leading fundraising initiatives, and expanding programs that make a meaningful difference for both dogs and the people who love them. She is especially passionate about supporting families during life's most difficult moments and creating opportunities that honor the unique connection between humans and their canine companions.

Stephanie believes that dogs have an extraordinary ability to heal, comfort, and bring people together. Through Tethered By Grace, she is committed to building a legacy of compassion, education, and advocacy that serves both current and future generations of dog lovers.

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"Choose to smile. Your attitude won't change every circumstance, but it will change the way you face them—and that can change everything."