Garden dedicated to KXAN station mascot, Kaxan

Andrew Schnitker
·2 min read

AUSTIN (KXAN) — KXAN honored one of its own, celebrating the life of station mascot and therapy dog Kaxan.

KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan Thursday at the station’s Austin building. Kaxan died in March 2023.

Kaxan was found in an alleyway behind the KXAN studios more than a decade ago. He was taken to the Austin Animal Center by KXAN senior forecaster Jim Spencer, and his former owners were notified. They decided to surrender Kaxan back to the shelter, and Spencer decided to make Kaxan a part of his family and KXAN’s.

Kaxan was named the top therapy dog in Texas in 2019 and was a finalist for an American Humane Hero Dog Award, according to a previous press release.

Edward Flores, who trained Kaxan and oversaw his on-air appearances, said Kaxan’s story inspired others to train therapy dogs.

  • KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station's mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state's top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station’s mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state’s top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station's mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state's top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station’s mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state’s top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • Edward Flores, who trained Kaxan and oversaw his on-air appearances, and KXAN senior forecaster Jim Spencer in front of the Kaxan garden. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    Edward Flores, who trained Kaxan and oversaw his on-air appearances, and KXAN senior forecaster Jim Spencer in front of the Kaxan garden. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station's mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state's top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station’s mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state’s top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
  • KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station's mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state's top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
    KXAN dedicated a garden in memory of Kaxan, the station’s mascot, on June 13, 2024. Kaxan died in 2023. He was named the state’s top therapy dog in 2019. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)

“There are so many therapy dog teams who are currently working, as we speak, because they were inspired by Kaxan’s story — to get their canine good citizens and get out in the community doing the same work he was doing,” Flores said Thursday.

In 2022, Kaxan’s life was turned into a children’s book. “Becoming Kaxan” told the story of a stray dog who became a celebrity — the real-life tale of Kaxan.

Profits from book sales benefitted local animal welfare organizations, a previous release said.

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