{"id":511719,"date":"2026-01-12T21:43:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T21:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/511719\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T21:43:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T21:43:16","slug":"beloved-pup-with-fort-worth-buddhist-monks-undergoes-surgery-on-journey-to-dc-for-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/511719\/","title":{"rendered":"Beloved pup with Fort Worth Buddhist monks undergoes surgery on journey to DC for peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Marissa Greene, Fort Worth Report
January 12, 2026<\/p>\n

Aloka, the tan and white pooch who has won the hearts of many across the nation as he accompanies Fort Worth Buddhist monks walking to the nation\u2019s capital for peace, is undergoing surgery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Jan. 12 the official Walk for Peace Facebook page announced Aloka the Peace Dog will have surgery at a veterinary clinic in South Carolina for an injury to one of his legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The monks didn\u2019t specify Aloka\u2019s exact injury but the pooch appeared to be walking into the veterinary clinic on all fours in a video<\/a> posted to Aloka\u2019s official Facebook page Monday morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are deeply grateful for the excellent veterinary care Aloka is receiving, and we are confident that with proper rest and treatment, he will recover well,\u201d the Facebook post read.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog, walks with the monks across several states from Texas to Washington, stopping at state capitols, historic landmarks and in local communities to share their message and invite people to join them in moments of reflection and prayer.<\/p>\n

The 4-year-old pup amassed thousands of his own social media followers since October when he set out from east Fort Worth with the monks to embark on a 2,300-mile walk to Washington, D.C., as part of a Walk for Peace<\/a> initiative.<\/p>\n

\"(MariaMonks sit at the front of Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center during a press conference on Oct. 19, 2025, before embarking on their Walk for Peace on Oct. 26. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n

After surgery, Aloka will be able to walk for 10 minutes at a time, a maximum of six times per day for the first week. After each week, he will be able to gradually increase his walking time as his healing progresses, according to Monday\u2019s announcement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tue Nhan Bhikkhu, also known as Rev. Nguyen, came across the pooch during a 112-day journey across India in 2022, according to the Associated Press.<\/a> Aloka was a stray at the time and joined the monks through the journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When the walk ended, Nguyen \u201ccouldn\u2019t bear to leave him behind\u201d and completed paperwork, quarantine and travel requirements to bring the pup to Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center, according to a video about Aloka on the initiative\u2019s TikTok page.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He is named Aloka after the Pali word for \u201clight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since their departure from Fort Worth in October, the monks \u2014 along with their loyal pup Aloka \u2014 have touched the hearts of many. The initiative\u2019s Facebook page shows swaths of supporters standing or kneeling on the side of the road waiting for the monks to pass them, often holding flowers to give or signs with words of encouragement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The initiative has amassed 1 million followers<\/a> on Facebook and over 800,000 followers on TikTok<\/a>. Aloka also has his own Facebook page<\/a>, with about 580,000 followers.<\/p>\n

\"\"Buddhist monks from Fort Worth\u2019s Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center begin their Walk for Peace initiative Oct. 26, 2025. (Marissa Greene | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n

The group has a live Google map<\/a>, where people can track the monks\u2019 journey along the way. The monks are currently near Ridgeway, South Carolina.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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