The mission of Compassion Copper Canyon began when Dr. Dawkins traveled to Mexico for the 16th annual Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon in March of 2018. The region of the Copper Canyons within the Sierra Madre Occidental is brutally beautiful, difficult to reach, and hard on its inhabitants. She fell in love with the area and was inspired to help. She returned again in December 2018, this time with her two small children driving 30 hours to get there. She filled the back of her old Ford pick up truck with clothes she and friends donated, children's toys for a Christmas toy drive, and, of course, veterinary supplies. She spent a few days in the mountain area and a few in the canyon. Each place she went, she spread the word so people would know that she had free medications to treat people's pets or street dogs. With the help of some wonderful local friends and supporters, she even reached some remote towns that only 4 wheel drive could get to, and one town that required a strenuous 3 hour hike up a mountain with a guide, Prospero, to reach. When she left the Copper Canyon Region this time she felt that she wanted to do even more, and decided to start the process to become a non-profit. She returned again in March 2019 and did a very small spay and neuter trial clinic in the town of Cerocahui.
Since starting the non-profit, Dr. Dawkins and her team have taken 4-6 trips per year to Mexico, and do anywhere from 200-500 surgeries per trip. The goal is to continue to return to the same towns to make a long term difference, as well as expand to additional towns to grow the impact.