Woman Creates Dog Train to Give Disabled Dogs A Taste of Freedom

3 days ago 9

Woman Builds “Dog Train” to Bring Joy to 560 Disabled Strays in Turkey

For the past four years, Buket Özgünlü has dedicated her life to caring for dogs most people would have given up on. Through her nonprofit, the Paws Holding on to Life Association in Turkey, she provides shelter, medical care, and compassion for 560 stray dogs—many of them disabled, paralyzed, or victims of abuse and neglect.

“They were all rescued,” Özgünlü explained. “The majority of them are paralyzed. Some have been shot, beaten, abandoned. All of them have a past.” Despite their difficult histories, every dog at her sanctuary has found safety, love, and dignity under her watch.

Her commitment to these animals comes from a deeply personal place. With a disabled father, Özgünlü has long been sensitive to the challenges faced by those who cannot fully care for themselves. That empathy extends to her dogs, especially those who require the most assistance. “They need us more,” she said. “I try to take care of them as much as possible.”

Life at the sanctuary is peaceful, filled with wheelchairs, play areas, and steady routines that allow the dogs to thrive. But Özgünlü wanted to give them something more—an experience that would take them beyond the walls of the shelter and let them enjoy the wider world. Her solution was both simple and brilliant: she built a “dog train.”

Using a tractor and a series of barrels fitted with wheels and openings, she created a moving caravan that allows dozens of dogs to ride together safely.

A young and sweet pit bull was found behind a warehouse in south Memphis with hundreds of bite marks and other severe injuries. Liam, as the rescuers named him, had been used as bait for dog fighting and his abusers are still at large.

Each barrel carries a passenger, giving the dogs a chance to feel the wind on their faces, smell new scents, and watch the world roll by.

The impact was immediate. Dogs that once knew only suffering now light up with joy as they ride along, tails wagging and ears perked. For Özgünlü, their excitement was the greatest reward. “I’d actually been thinking about doing such a project for a long time,” she said. “I was very happy that I did.”

The dog train quickly captured the hearts of the local community as well. People stop to wave, smile, and cheer as the colorful caravan passes by, touched by the sight of once-forgotten animals now living vibrant, happy moments. “Many people like it, and it makes me even happier,” Özgünlü shared.

Beyond the joyrides, the train symbolizes something greater—the possibility of transformation. These are dogs who were once discarded, written off as unworthy of care. Now, they experience not only safety but also delight, connection, and adventure.

For Özgünlü, the mission is deeply fulfilling. “I know very well how much they need it,” she said. The dogs may not have had the easiest beginnings, but thanks to her vision and devotion, their futures are filled with love and meaning.

Her story is a reminder that with empathy and creativity, even the most broken lives can be rebuilt—and every tail wag tells a story of hope.

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