A heartwarming TikTok video has captured the challenging yet ultimately rewarding journey of a nervous rescue dog named Simba.

In the video, Simba’s new owners gently coaxed him into his new home after he attempted to hide in their bushes outside. The clip exemplified the patience and care needed to attend to rescue animals, and, from recent updates from the couple, their work with Simba seems to be paying off.

“Day three adopting Simba,” the woman, also known as @nxtgenchels, captioned the video. “We had a bit of a wobble last night, so [he] hid in the bushes this morning.” The scene then shifts indoors, and she added, from Simba’s perspective: “Trying to be brave in the scary house. My new humans didn’t leave my side…and I began to trust them…I really wanted to go back outside, but my humans wanted to show me the house wasn’t scary.”

The creator further elaborated on Simba’s progress and the challenges faced, writing that she was proud of him for walking through the door frame in the house, because he has a fear of them.

The emotional honesty of the video resonated with TikTok users, many of whom have experience with rescue animals.

One commenter offered a practical tip for building trust. “When I first had my rescues, I would put a clothing item I’d worn where they’d chosen as their safe spot so they could get used to my scent in the spot they felt safest,” they wrote. “You’ll get there, your patience is all he needs.”

Another fostered many rescue dogs and shared crucial advice: “I’ve fostered many rescue dogs—please move at his pace and remember progress isn’t linear, some days will feel like a step backwards and that’s okay. Thanks for adopting.”

Other videos on the account provide further insight into Simba’s progress, showcasing the small victories that mark his healing journey.

An update from day two revealed a significant step forward: “Yesterday, he wouldn’t come out from behind the bushes, today he’s braving the grass and a wee bit of the patio!” This marked a shift from Simba’s initial hiding behavior.

By day four, Simba’s comfort levels had soared, leading to a heartwarming development.

“The best night/day we’ve had yet,” the creator wrote of the fourth day. “Can you believe Simba jumped right up in between us on the couch and slept there all night (snoring his head off might I add). Going on the patio [or] near the scary house is still overwhelming, but we’re trying to move at Simba’s pace and not force him to do anything he’s not ready for.”

With some comfort with physical proximity and his newfound ability to relax and sleep soundly in his new home, Simba seems well on his way to true safety with his new human companions.

Newsweek reached out to @nxtgenchels for comment via TikTok.