Meet Crush. A big, black lab, he and his mom were struggling with vet visits. Increasingly activated, his behavior - that of a scared, anxious, and protective dog, became difficult to handle. Soon, he wouldn’t let anyone touch him.

His mom brought us to us hoping a new environment would shake him out of it. However, he was smarter than that! He knew what was going on and his behavior was not magically fixed. In extraordinary partnership with his mom, we were able to remap his experience coming to Shelter Bay. We started small, with Happy Visits. We took our time and figured out his favorite treat. One of our exam rooms is more spacious, which allowed him to feel less trapped.

It took dedication. It took patience. It took medications and multiple visits. It took relationship building and trust. Now, he comes in with tail wagging, ready for treats and pets. At his last visit, he was rolling on the floor, belly up for scratches.

Now, we are able to provide higher quality care for him. Better, more thorough exams, including checking his teeth.

It really is magic! The real superhero in this story is his mom, who trusted us, worked with us, and had the dedication to see it through. We thank her for letting us share his story, and we hope there are many more pets like him who can benefit from our special approach at Shelter Bay.