Found: Abandoned on a Malibu Beach

It was dawn when a surfer spotted something tangled in the kelp—a brindle pit bull with a bloody rear leg, desperately paddling to stay afloat. Our rescue team rushed him to surgery, but the damage was too severe.

“That leg had to go,” said Dr. Hernandez. “But the way he kept trying to swim? This dog had fight in him.”

We named him Tripod.

The Unexpected Talent

During rehab, volunteer Jake (a pro surfer) noticed something incredible:

• Tripod balanced perfectly on boards

• His powerful front paws could steer through waves

• He’d lick saltwater off kids’ faces at the shoreline

Turns out, losing a leg improved his center of gravity—making him a natural water dog.

From Rescue to Therapy Superstar

Today, Tripod works with:

• Autistic kids who connect with his “different” movement

• Amputee veterans learning to surf again

• Beach clean-up crews (he carries trash bags in his mouth)

His “Tripod Surf Camp” has helped over 200 people this year.

“He doesn’t know he’s disabled,” says Jake. “He just knows he’s loved.”