MILTON, Fla. — One very lucky Florida tortoise has been given a second chance at life thanks to his new, custom wheelchair.
- Injured tortoise receives first-ever turtle wheelchair
- Scoot Reeves injured by front end loader in Milton
- Walkin' Pets built custom wheelchair for Scoot
A tortoise named Scoot Reeves was injured by a front end loader in Milton, Florida. He was left with his back legs paralyzed and his shell cracked.
Scoot was brought to Hillman Veterinary Clinic in Pensacola in bad shape and was at risk of being euthanized due to his poor quality of life. However, Vet Techs Sasha Corbett and Shannon Chavers figured out a way to get Scoot back on his feet again.
Corbett contacted someone from Gunnar's Wheels Foundation, who helped her get a new Walkin' Wheels wheelchair for her dog Rosalie who was born with cerebellar hypoplasia.
"Both Scoot and Rosalie came into Hillman Clinic with the possibility they would be euthanized. Shannon and I have soft spots for the special babies and really advocated for both. And the amazing Jason Parker with Gunnar's Wheels stepped up to get them mobile," Corbett said.
Corbett said Parker jumped into action and contacted Walkin' Pets who he was partnered with for years, donating hundreds of wheelchairs to dogs and cats in need.
The Walkin' Pets team got to work and made their first-ever specialized wheelchair for a tortoise. Now Scoot is zipping around in his custom wheels.
Walkin' Pets and Gunnar's Wheels will also continue to work with Scoot throughout his recovery.
Watch Scoot take his first steps!