California Rescue Dog Surfing for Years Wins Her First Surf Competition After Overcoming Cancer (Exclusive)

A year after finishing treatment for Grade 1 soft tissue sarcoma, Koa the Lab got a big win at the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals

After overcoming her most formidable obstacle, Koa the rescue dog won her biggest prize.

The 10-year-old chocolate Lab recently won the Large Dog Surf Competition at Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals. This was Koa's first top finish in her over six years of surfing.

Even more impressive, the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge win came less than a year after Koa beat cancer. The Labrador Retriever was diagnosed with Grade 1 soft tissue sarcoma in 2021 and underwent an operation and 17 treatments of fractional radiation before getting a clean bill of health in 2023.

Kristina Welsh, the dog's pet parent and an emergency veterinarian in Carlsbad, Calif., was by Koa's side throughout her treatment. Welsh met Koa through work when the pup was six weeks old. A Good Samaritan had found little Koa running around on a highway and brought the puppy to the animal hospital where Welsh was working, looking for someone to care for the dog.

Welsh, considering a chocolate Lab as her next pet at the time, decided to adopt the puppy.

"It was love at first sight!" Welsh tells PEOPLE of meeting Koa.

"Koa is the most confident, boldest dog I have ever met! She is very independent! Her favorite passion is definitely surfing. However, she's an amazing retriever and will place the ball right in your hand to play fetch!" the dog mom adds.

The pooch discovered her passion for surfing by chance.

"Years ago, I had my niece visit me, and she was scared of the water but a big dog lover. I convinced her to go to the beach to see if she and Koa would ride around on the surfboard together. By the end of the day, they were pushing each other off the board and having a blast," Welsh explains.

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After noticing her pet's love for surfing, Welsh got Koa involved in local surf dog groups, where she found a supportive community of animal lovers.

That community was there to support Koa and Welsh when Koa received her cancer diagnosis and went through treatment.

"Koa had a surf competition in Huntington Beach days before she started radiation. I firmly believe it set her up with a positive mental outlook, and she rode that high right into the hospital!" Welsh shares, adding that Koa also made friends with her oncology team.

"The oncology department threw her a wonderful graduation party after her last treatment," Koa's pet parent adds.

Related: Rescue Dog with 7-Lb. Tumor on His Face Gets Mass Removed and Finds an 'Amazing' Forever Home

As Koa's treatment progressed, Welsh noticed heartening changes in her dog.

"I do think the cancer was slowly draining her, and I had no idea, even as a veterinarian. Days after her surgery, I saw her more active than she had been in over a year," Welsh says.

So when Koa completed treatment, Welsh was confident she was ready to win her first-ever surfing competition. The canine's friends in the surf dog community nominated Koa for an open spot in the Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals Surfing competition, and the Lab got it.

On the day of the competition, Koa was in top form, according to Welsh.

"It was absolutely incredible! Koa surfed the best she ever had that day!" she says, adding that Koa's supportive San Diego surf dog group "not only cheered Koa on but also celebrated every single victory. We couldn't have done this without them!"

Related: Abandoned Six-Legged ‘Mermaid’ Dog Adopted by Surf Instructors for People with Disabilities

According to her "proud" owner, Koa knew she was "big stuff" that day, "but at the end of the day, it was just another Saturday for her surfing with her pals!"

Welsh hopes Koa's kindness, curiosity, and perseverance inspire pet owners to overcome doubts about their furry friends' capabilities.

"I would love people to realize there's so much more they can do with their dogs! A lot of these dogs crave a job, and I would challenge people to try to find what their dog is most interested in! Never in my wildest dreams did I think a hunting dog from Oregon would be a world champion surfer." she says.

Since her big win, Koa has competed in the World of Surfing Championship and won second place in the XL Category. She hopes to compete in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge next year.

Animal lovers who want to watch Koa's big win and the talents of other surfing dogs can tune in to NBC's Airing of the Incredible Dog Challenge Western Regionals on Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. ET on NBC. The competition will also be available to stream on Peacock on Sept. 8.

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