I’m Jessica Tritz, the breeder at Central Wisconsin Bernedoodles. If you’re finding me here—hello from cranberry country in the heart of Wisconsin! I was born and raised in Wisconsin Rapids, went to school in La Crosse, and graduated from one of UW–Madison’s satellite programs with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. After the birth of our first child, my husband and I decided to set down roots in his hometown of Vesper, a small town just outside the city.

 

I worked as a nurse in the hospital on a pediatric and medical-surgical unit before moving closer to home in the pre/post-surgery department. I’ve always had a passion for people and for science, and nursing allowed me to live out both.

 

After our fourth son was born, I made the decision to stay home with the kids. It was a busy, beautiful season of life—especially as we later added two daughters. I continued to use my nursing knowledge daily and never once regretted stepping away from my career to be with my children.

 

As time went on, though, I missed adult connection and conversations beyond toddler talk—ha! On a whim, I decided to have a litter of puppies with our family dog and fell completely in love with the process. I found joy not only in caring for the puppies but in connecting with their adoptive families. I was hooked. Over the years, my nursing background has helped me provide the highest level of care for my breeding dogs and their pups.

 

Since then, my program has grown in ways I never could have imagined. I’ve let God guide each decision and listened closely to what you—my puppy families—have asked for. What began as a one-woman show has evolved into a full-scale breeding program with dedicated staff on site 365 days a year. Watching these young women grow into confident, skilled professionals and mentoring them as they mature is one of my greatest joys. Our on-site groomer and trainers have refined their craft alongside our growth, and the care they provide gives them both independence and purpose in a truly special environment.

 

As I continue my work at CWB, I genuinely love being the captain of this crazy ship! My teammates have become family, and my puppy families—some of my closest friends. What truly sets us apart is the CWB community. There’s something so special about the relationships built through this shared passion. Anyone who’s talked with me knows that once you get me started on dogs, I can talk for hours! But what keeps me going are the connections, the friendships, and the sense of purpose that remind me daily why God led me here.

 

While my program continues to grow and meet the needs of families looking for an ethical and positive approach to puppy adoption, I remain deeply committed to preparing every family for success. I’ve even written an entire Puppy Handbook to guide them through their eight-week journey with us. My goal has always been to provide the most extensive puppy socialization curriculum possible, so each puppy leaves our nursery confident, curious, and ready for independent life.

 

When I lost my beloved Alexa suddenly in 2025 following complications from her spay surgery, this community carried me through. That heartbreak reignited my motivation to connect with others on a human level and reminded me that while our journeys are unique, emotions like love, grace, and grief unite us all. The outpouring of support I received inspired a new direction for our program.

 

This fall, we launched Tethered by Grace, the nonprofit branch of CWB. Our mission is to celebrate the deep connections between people and animals and the healing, joy, and purpose they bring to our lives. I’m thrilled to be leading this new adventure in outreach and compassion.

 

Should you find yourself researching further and ultimately choose to adopt from our program, I hope you’ll feel the heart behind everything we do. There is truly something special about CWB. Together, we can raise the bar for breeding everywhere—and it’s my greatest joy to be on this journey with you.