From Struggling to Snuggling: Kekoa’s Journey of Hope
June 6, 2025
Kekoa’s First Days
When 10-month-old Kekoa arrived at Calgary Humane Society as a stray, the fear in his eyes said it all. Shut down and frozen in place, he spent his first days curled up on his bed, avoiding eye contact, and only eating in the safety of darkness. Kekoa wasn’t just shy — he was paralyzed by fear. Our team was deeply concerned about his quality of life.
The Behaviour Team Steps In
That’s where our Behaviour Team stepped in — and they never looked back.
From day one, the Behaviour Team took the lead on Kekoa’s recovery. With deep expertise and unshakable commitment, they crafted a thoughtfully curated, personalized training plan to meet Kekoa exactly where he was — scared, shut down, and unsure of the world around him. Their work was rooted in evidence-based, force-free training methodologies, designed not to demand compliance, but to gently guide animals toward success on their own terms.
For Kekoa, the key to opening that door was food. Using positive reinforcement techniques and a reward marker that made sense to him, the team helped Kekoa understand that humans weren’t something to fear — they were something to trust.
Setback and Second Chances
His first step was simply tolerating the presence of people. Then, slowly, he became brave enough to eat from a hand. Just as progress began to peek through, Kekoa developed kennel cough — setting him back significantly.
But the Behaviour Team didn’t stop believing in him.
They doubled down — revising his plan, collaborating across departments, and advocating fiercely for Kekoa’s continued support. Working closely with our Foster Team, they identified an experienced foster parent and created a transition plan that prioritized safety, predictability, and trust-building.
Foster Care Begins
Just hours into foster care, Kekoa was wagging his tail and soaking up the sun. With daily support and guidance from the Behaviour Team, his foster dad followed the plan: safe spaces, slow introductions, consistent routines, and building life skills like house training and leash-walking — all at Kekoa’s own pace.
April 4/25 – “He just laughed at me while I tried to be gentle getting him in. I got a tail wag as I was settling him in — now just enjoying the sunshine.”
– Foster Update
“Hi shelter family, it is I, Kekoa. I broke out of my safe space twice — wroof!”
– Foster Update
A New Pup Emerges
Kekoa’s personality began to shine. He stole socks. Snuggled into pillows. Explored the world from the couch — always with a paw gently resting in his foster dad’s hand.
With every positive experience, his fear melted further away. The Behaviour Team remained by his side throughout — monitoring progress, adjusting training goals, and providing ongoing coaching to his foster parent. They were Kekoa’s constant champions.
April 7/25 – “He certainly likes his snuggles. We’re still working on walking around the house without him being nervous — but we are leaps and bounds ahead of where we were just a couple days ago.”
By April 11, Kekoa was confidently exploring his home, bonding deeply with his foster dad, and even beginning to greet new people.
April 11/25 – “Every day feels like a novel. He’s a happy, regular puppy these days. There’s no anxiety when cuddling or walking around him anymore. We’re working on leash skills and he’s starting to socialize with new people. His development continues to move at rocket speed.”
The Ongoing Commitment
Kekoa’s transformation is a testament to the incredible work of the Behaviour Department — not just in his early days at the shelter, but throughout his foster placement and beyond.
Because for the Behaviour Team, support doesn’t end at adoption.
They remain part of each animal’s journey by offering:
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Post-adoption behaviour support for all CHS-adopted animals
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Group training classes for dogs of all personalities and skill levels
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Private consultations, including in-home options for dogs like Kekoa who may feel safest in their own space
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Ongoing connection through behaviour resources, the CHS dog park, and continued education opportunities
Their approach is simple, but powerful: meet each dog where they are. Celebrate their progress. Champion their potential. And stay beside them — for as long as they need.
We can’t wait to see what’s next for Kekoa — and we’ll be right there cheering him on.
How You Can Help
Want to be part of stories like Kekoa’s?
Our Behaviour Team is behind every success story — but they can’t do it alone. If you’ve got a quiet home, a little patience, and a lot of love to give, become a foster and help animals like Kekoa heal. Visit calgaryhumane.ca/foster to learn more.