GALION, Ohio (WCMH) — John Lizotte and his wife Noel didn’t plan to add another member to their family when responding to a call from the local shelter about a paralyzed, abandoned dog in need of their help.

The Lizottes run a non-profit called Rescued Rollers. Their mission isn’t to rescue dogs, but to help outfit special needs and senior dogs with affordable or free wheelchairs. They’ve been doing it for four years, inspired by their experience trying to find their handicapped Border Collie Ranger a wheelchair to help him get around. 

When they got a call last week from the Pickaway County Dog Shelter about a paralyzed German shephard mix found lying in a field, they knew they had to respond.

“They called us to get him a wheelchair and that’s what we did,” John explained.

After fitting Rex with his own custom wheelchair, he wasn’t ready to say goodbye–he tried to hop in their truck.

“Something with Rex just clicked. So we brought him home, and he’s doing fantastic,” John said. “We’re gonna get him sone medical care and some ongoing therapy. And we’re glad to have him.”

And Rex has a big job ahead of him, too–he’ll be an ambassador for the Rescued Rollers non-profit organization.

“He’s just wonderful–he fits. He’s a love dog. He helps however we need to work with him–he’s fantastic. We got saved just as much as he did when we brought him home.”

To learn more about Rescued Rollers and help support their mission, click here.