Oakleys Oath

Oakley's Oath

SUPPORT OAKLEY'S OATH

Our Mission

We aim to educate homeowners and businesses about keeping pets safe when repairs are being done at home.

Our Founding

Oakley’s Oath was founded after Julie and Maury Kessler’s family lost one of their beloved dogs, Oakley, to an accidental drowning in 2021.

The Kessler family was having work done on their roof, and the contractor had placed a lightweight, clear plastic tarp over the pool, and when Oakley went into the backyard, he fell through the plastic and drowned. Unfortunately, the Kessler family was unable to save Oakley in time.

While the Kessler family cannot bring their dog back, Julie has made it her mission to take their experience and turn it into a safety initiative for other homeowners with pets and small children. “We are really are just aiming to educate residents and any service provider that come into your home about keeping children and pets safe when work is being done in and around the home.” said Julie.

Oakley - Our Beloved Friend

Oakley

A Safer Home

Small children and pets are the most susceptible to preventable accidents when work is taking place in the home. Contractors, sometimes unknowingly, disrupt the normal routine of the house, and introduce new elements that may distract or grab the attention of a pet or child. Although homeowners typically ask basic questions of their contractors, like when the project would be done and how much it would cost, there should be more details on the safety of the family.

It is Julie’s goal to spread the mission of Oakley’s Oath, and have homeowners and contractors everywhere be more aware of the changes and risks that are brought to a home when work is being done, especially with small children and pets in the home.

Oakley’s Oath strives to protect children and pets from avoidable accidents by providing contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines that keep everyone safe.

MEET THE FOUNDER

ABOUT JULIE KESSLER

Julie Kessler, an Arizona native and a University of Arizona alum, is a passionate mother to two daughters, and an advocate for child and animal safety and welfare. Julie and her family have always been dog lovers, having three Shih Tzu of their own, Oakley, Spex and Panda. However, it wasn’t until after Oakley’s unfortunate and preventable passing that Julie turned her passion into philanthropy.

Although Julie isn’t able to bring back her beloved dog, she has turned her loss into activism, by founding Oakley’s Oath. This nonprofit aims to protect children and pets from avoidable accidents by providing contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines that help keep everyone safe.

Testimonial

Kona's Story

” We started our backyard remodel in April 2022. Construction is messy and so our contractor covered our pool with a plastic tarp to prevent debris. On Nextdoor, I learned about Oakley’s story and the dangers of construction for pets. I have two curious and energetic dogs of my own, so my guard was up. Potty breaks became eventful as I followed my dogs around the yard, keeping them away from large holes, power tools, and sharp materials. One morning, Kona simply walked straight into the pool, thinking the dusty tarp on top was a solid surface. The tarp immediately started sucking her down and she sank. Dressed head to toe in pajamas, I dove in after her. I untangled her from the tarp and steered us towards the edge of the pool where I could call for help. If I was not there to dive in after her, she would have become deeply tangled in the tarp and drowned. This event happened in seconds. Not minutes, SECONDS. We must strongly consider all safety risks construction may pose on our families and do everything we can to stay safe.”

– Rachel Seymour, Scottsdale Resident

Bringing people together to create awareness!

Our Mission

Oakley’s Oath strives to protect children and pets from preventable accidents by providing contractors and homeowners with common sense guidelines that help keep everyone safe.

Our Vision

At Oakley’s Oath, we want to create a world where residents and service providers are empowered with the knowledge and resources necessary to ensure the safety of children and pets while work is being done in and around the home.