Our Story💜

Kashawn grew up in Harlem, New York, while Arlissa grew up in Ohio. They first met online in 2008 through video games and became close friends before ever meeting in person.

Arlissa lost her father when she was young and later lost her mother as a young adult. After losing both parents, she moved several times while trying to find stability and figure out what came next.

She had always been creative and loved animals, and after her mother passed she began selling animal artwork. Kashawn knew she was going through a difficult time, so he started buying the pieces she had for sale as a way to help support her.

In 2010, they finally met in person.

Years later, both of their lives reached another difficult turning point. Kashawn was struggling in New York, while Arlissa was facing housing uncertainty in Ohio. Kashawn got on a bus and came to Dayton so they could start over together.

Their first few months were spent living in a hotel while they worked to get back on their feet. During that time, someone unexpectedly helped pay part of their hotel stay. They never forgot what it felt like to receive kindness when they needed it.

Over time, they built a life together through online selling and later Dayton Pet Care, which became their full-time business. Their love for animals and their appreciation for the Dayton community gradually inspired them to do more.

Beginning in 2022, they started creating holiday events through Dayton Pet Care, including Halloween celebrations, Easter events, Christmas activities, giveaways, and other community surprises.

During a Thanksgiving giveaway, Kashawn and Arlissa purchased wagons so they could carry and hand out turkeys to families in the community. Seeing those wagons filled with items for others sparked a much bigger idea.

Just a few days later, Pawsitivity Patrol was created.

What started with holiday events quickly became something they wanted to do year-round. The wagons evolved, Arly became the mascot, and the mission became simple: go out into the community, meet people where they are, and create unexpected moments of kindness.

Today, Kashawn and Arlissa continue building Pawsitivity Patrol around one belief:

Their goal is to create more of those moments and remind people everywhere:

You matter more than you'll ever know. 💜