A woman who is no stranger to owning wolf dogs expected another trip to the vet’s office would be met with nervousness around her sliver of wildlife, but how her fur baby was recently treated left her pleasantly surprised.
A wolf dog is exactly as described: a canine with both domestic dog and wolf in its genetic makeup. Owner Alex’s 7-year-old wolf dog, Kiba, is 71 percent dog and 29 percent wolf, she told Newsweek via Instagram. She rescued Kiba when he was about 3 years old.
Throughout the years, Alex brought Kiba to different veterinarians, and each time she would be met with some trepidation. She knows it is hard to get consistent vet care due to the stressfulness of the experience for everyone involved. Plus, not every vet will see a wolf dog. Laws regarding ownership vary state by state, Newsweek previously reported. States will have complete bans, restrictions or no regulations.
“Most vets kept their distance because of how large and intense Kiba is,” she said. “Before I learned to advocate for him, I’d sit in the waiting room like everyone else — holding him close, trying to keep him calm until our name was called.”
Over time, she adapted. She began waiting outside or in the car until an exam room was ready. This helped prevent the buildup of stress. Alex started consistently using a muzzle on Kiba to give vets the peace of mind while also helping Kiba relax, as Alex felt more at ease since she no longer had to worry about any potential bite.
But still, each vet visit carried tension—until recently. Alex was “shocked” when she found a fearless vet who treated her canine like a normal dog.
In a viral Instagram clip posted to her account @happywolfgirl on September 24, which reached over 2.9 million views as of Tuesday, Alex filmed the moment the vet approached Kiba with compassion and zero hesitation. He confidently examined the dog, unafraid of putting his hands near Kiba’s mouth.
“It was the first time I saw someone treat us like any other patient,” she said. “It was the first time someone who understood the risk and wasn’t scared to put themselves at risk.”
That moment meant more to Alex than most viewers might realize. Wolf dogs occupy a gray area in veterinary care. While similar to domestic dogs, wolf dogs are considered “exotic” in some states.
There is no approved rabies vaccine specifically used for them, according to W.O.L.F. Sanctuary, a rescue organization accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That means if a wolf dog ever bites someone, euthanasia and testing may be required.
Alex said she never wants a vet to put themselves in an uncomfortable situation, which is why she informs them of the risk up front. But after seeing this vet’s confidence, she felt validated.
“The vet guided me on how to hold Kiba properly, respected my use of a muzzle, and treated us with normalcy,” Alex said. “For the first time, I felt like we belonged there. I’m so thankful for vets and vet techs who choose patience and understanding over fear. Finding a vet who respects both the owner and the animal changes everything.”
Instagram users flooded the comment section with praise, claiming to “protect him at all costs,” while others expressed their understanding of the previous vets’ hesitations.
Someone wrote: “Without knowing the dog’s history, it’s completely reasonable to be wary, especially when you’re in a field where damage to the hand or arm can end your career.”
For Alex, the moment was more than just a viral video. It was proof that these misunderstood animals can still receive compassion and trust, especially as many of them are mistreated.
An article from World Population Review reported that over 65 percent of wolf dogs end up in rescue situations or are euthanized because the owners feel overwhelmed.
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