About us
About The Rainier Legacy Project
The Rainier Legacy Project exists to turn a personal loss into a public good: education about canine cancer and its treatments, awareness of the immunotherapy frontier, and a place where the dogs who fought are never forgotten.
Our mission
Helping families navigate canine cancer with trusted resources, compassionate support, and hope for more time with the dogs they love—inspired by a beloved Akita named Rainier.
What we do
Educate
We translate veterinary research into plain language, so families facing a diagnosis can make decisions with clarity instead of panic.
Raise awareness
We champion the immunotherapy frontier — the trials, the treatments, and the comparative oncology research that dogs like Rainier helped carry forward.
Remember
We keep a living wall where every dog who fought is remembered by name, photo, and story — because grief deserves a place to live, too.
The people
Founded by Kasey Bentz, for Rainier
Kasey Bentz founded The Rainier Legacy Project in memory of her Akita, Rainier, after nearly two years navigating canine cancer alongside him.
Rainier was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2023. His journey included amputation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, metastatic disease, and genomic testing. Along the way, Kasey connected with veterinary oncologists, researchers, canine cancer organizations, and other families facing the same frightening diagnosis. She saw how much hope exists in advancing treatments and research—but also how overwhelming it can be for pet owners to find reliable information and understand what options may be available to their dog.
After Rainier passed away in August 2025, Kasey wanted the things learned through his journey to help someone else. She created The Rainier Legacy Project to share information about canine cancer, encourage pet owners to advocate for their dogs, increase awareness of treatment options and emerging research, and support the people and organizations working to give dogs more time.
Kasey works in public service in Washington State and is a U.S. Army veteran. She and her husband, Steve, share their home with their Akita, Bonanza, who keeps the Akita-sized presence in their lives very much alive.
The Rainier Legacy Project is Kasey’s way of carrying forward what Rainier taught her: ask questions, keep learning, advocate fiercely, and never underestimate how much one dog can change a life.
Rainier’s story began with one dog. His legacy is about helping many more.
The project is grounded in the Pacific Northwest, where Rainier's namesake mountain still watches over the trails he loved.
Governance
Board of Directors
The people who guide the mission, steward the work, and keep Rainier's name attached to something that helps other dogs.
Kasey Bentz
Founder & Board Chair
Kasey Bentz founded The Rainier Legacy Project out of a lifelong love of animals and a deeply personal understanding of what it means to care for a dog with cancer. A military veteran and public servant, she holds a Master of Social Work from Campbellsville University and is a PhD candidate in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University. Her background informs her commitment to helping people navigate difficult circumstances with compassion, clear information, and meaningful support.
Kasey’s dedication to animals is deeply rooted in her volunteer work at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, in animal care and public education. That connection became the heart of her mission when her beloved Akita, Rainier, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Navigating his care showed her how overwhelming it can be to find resources, understand options, and advocate for a cherished companion while facing uncertainty.
Through The Rainier Legacy Project, Kasey brings together her experience in service, education, and advocacy to help families feel more informed, supported, and less alone—with the hope of giving them more time with the dogs they love.
Kristina Neto
Board Member & Treasurer
Kristina Neto serves as Treasurer of The Rainier Legacy Project, helping support thoughtful stewardship of the organization’s resources and mission. As Marketing Director for a large-scale, full-service construction firm, she brings a valuable business and communications perspective to RLP’s work supporting families navigating canine cancer.
Kristina is a proud mother to a teenage daughter and two beloved pups—Tama the Boxer and Walter the Pomeranian. Her love for her own dogs makes The Rainier Legacy Project's mission especially meaningful: helping families find trusted resources, compassionate support, and hope for more time with the dogs they love.
Kasandra Sabin
Board Member & Secretary
Kasandra brings a background in family support and nonprofit service to The Rainier Legacy Project. She earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from National University. A firefighter’s wife and mother of two young boys, she understands the importance of connection and community. As Secretary, Kasandra brings a thoughtful, compassionate perspective to our work, helping families navigate canine cancer with trusted resources, support, and hope.
Get in touch
Questions, stories, partnership ideas, or a dog you'd like to see on the Legacy Wall — we'd love to hear from you.