Chase Stokes Is Supporting Kelsea Ballerini After Her Dog's Cancer Diagnosis: 'Taking It Day by Day' (Exclusive)

Chase Stokes is the star of shows like Outer Banks and movies like Uglies, but in his personal life, he's also a supportive partner and loving dog dad.

The actor, 32, has been dating country star Kelsea Ballerini since early 2023. Together, the couple has created a small family with their two dogs. Stokes adopted his pup, Milo, in 2020, while Ballerini has been a mom to Dibs for over nine years.

In August, the "Cowboys Cry Too" singer announced that Dibs was diagnosed with "inoperable cancer in his heart."

"We're just taking it day by day right now," Stokes tells PEOPLE of how he and Ballerini have been supporting one another in the wake of the diagnosis. "I mean, it's one of those things that when it happens as fast as it does, you just try to do the next right thing."

He adds that between their busy schedules, the couple is doing their best to find time "to be as a unit as much as humanly possible."

In her Instagram announcement about Dibs' health, Ballerini shared that the dog was "not in pain" but was receiving "the 'big' meds" to live the rest of his life in peace.

In the Instagram Stories, Ballerini called Stokes the "greatest dog dad in the world" and said Dibs was "getting extra cuddles and kibbles from his little family."

Stokes reposted Ballerini's Instagram Stories about Dibs, adding, "It's been a rough few days here. But our man is in good spirits and eating all his favorite foods."

"Day by day, we've got a road ahead, but we're going to make it the most enjoyable, loving days for him," he wrote.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

One of the ways Stokes and Ballerini enjoy spending their time with their pups is through long walks, which Stokes now enjoys thanks to the new Brooks Glycerin Max shoes.

"I've gotten her into running. With this partnership that's been something," Stokes tells PEOPLE at the shoe's launch event. "And even just getting out and taking longer walks with the dogs too and getting in a comfortable shoe has been just kind of a nice bonding thing."