How a Chance Meeting Saved a Vet’s Heart
Yes — that Dr. Kwane Stewart (The Street Vet) joins Rocky and Kelly for an honest, funny, and deeply emotional episode of Dogs & Coffee.
From childhood moments that shaped who he became, to turning one of the worst shelters in America into a 95% live-release rate, to the $3 encounter that changed everything — Dr. Kwane gets real about shelters, homelessness, and what it truly means to be a good pet parent.
He opens up about trauma, compassion, and the humanity behind unhoused pet owners. There are heavy stories, hopeful stories, and even some laughter — all grounded in heart. We talk social media, shelter burnout, pet care inequality, and why a journalist once called a walk through an Oakland encampment “one of the best days” of their life.” Through it all, Dr. Kwane stays warm, grounded, and deeply kind.
🎙️ Dr. Kwane’s Coffee & Canine Stats
☕ Order: Straight Black Coffee
🐶 Dog: German Shepherd named Cora
❤️ Adoptable Dog Feature: Pumpkin
Meet Pumpkin, a 2-year-old Husky/Chow Chow mix currently at Flip Farms in San Diego County.
Please share to help this boy find a loving forever home!
🔗 Adopt Pumpkin: https://rockykanaka.com/adoption/pumpkin-for-adoption/
📘 Links & Extras
Get Flip Coffee & Help Dogs: https://www.flipcoffee.com
Get New York Times Best Seller Sitting With Dogs https://amzn.to/4hE9qxx
🕒 Episode Highlights
14:30 — The childhood moment that shaped everything
16:30 — Generational trauma & our relationship with dogs
18:30 — The $3 encounter that changed his life
19:00 — Inside overwhelmed municipal shelters
22:15 — How he improved live-release rates to 95%
25:00 — The secret mission nobody knew about for 6 years
32:00 — Unhoused pet owners
38:15 — Is pet ownership becoming a luxury?
56:30 — “The Buddha on Skid Row”
58:15 — Dr. Kwane’s soul dog
🎧 About the Show
The Dogs & Coffee Podcast by Rocky and Kelly Kanaka covers everything from heartfelt rescue stories to raw conversations about dog welfare, homelessness, and hope — all while Rocky tries (and often struggles) to be a barista. Flip Coffee is served at local cafés with plans to spread across the country.
