Dog On Wheels Ready To 'Pay It Forward'

JOHNSTON, RI — Hulk's story starts in the Kingdom of Jordan, in the Middle East, according to Rhode Island Pet Network. The 3-year-old mixed breed dog was hit by a car and left to die along the roadside. But he didn't die there. A Jordanian man, believed to have been in a wheelchair himself, saw the dog, took pity, and asked people to help. Then a Good Samaritan tried to nurse him back to health. But Hulk couldn't walk again, and his best friend realized he needed someone who could provide the surgery and therapy that might let him use his back legs again.

The man told Hulk's story on social media. The dog may never live it down, but cat lovers actually came to his rescue. A volunteer with Cranston-based Tigers Den rescue saw the story and punched Hulk's ticket to the U.S.

According to Jordan Bouclin, of RI Pet Network, Hulk's been fitted with a wheel cart, and he's adjusted to the device well.

"He's really fast," she said. Unfortunately, he's not expected to walk on his own again. But while he is waiting with a foster Mom in Johnston for a new home, he's made friends with all the children around, including the grandkids. That gave everyone an idea. Although the plan is to adopt him out as a pet, his rescue friends say Hulk has a lot of potential to help children suffering from disabilities. To be sure, he couldn't work as the type of therapy dog that helps special needs people, she said, because he needs a lot of help himself. But with the training and certification, he certainly could go into hospitals and other settings as a visiting therapy dog.

"We feel Hulk would make a wonderful and inspiring visiting therapy dog and would love to find him an owner who will consider this path for him, although it is not a requirement of his adoption," she said. "He has an offer for free training/therapy dog certification training from Colleen Brophy, owner of Top Paw-Formance Canine Academy, if it's something his adopter wishes to pursue."

Hulk was pretty thin when he arrived, but he's gaining weight now

"He loves to eat," Bouclin said. For more about Hulk, click here or e-mail AdoptHulk@gmail.com

Courtesy Photo: Danielle Deely