About four years ago, there was a memorable news story detailing three young Pit Bull-mix pups who were found nailed to a wooden railroad tie in Albany, New York. They were brought to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society with their left rear paws severely damaged and in a horribly malnourished condition. One of them came to be known as Hudson the Railroad Puppy, and you almost wouldn’t believe what he looks like today.

Part of the American Chemistry Council’s “Plastics Make It Possible” campaign, this three-minute video shows a happy, confident, and thriving dog. With his trusty plastic paw made by expert prosthetics veterinarian Derrick Campana, Hudson can walk, run, and do just about anything most other dogs can do. When Hudson’s story went public, there was a flood of people who wanted to adopt him and his surviving sister, Pearl. (The smallest pup sibling didn’t make it and crossed the Rainbow Bridge to live among other pets who’ve passed.) So everyone was asked to write an essay about why their home would be a warm and loving place for a dog in need. One of the lucky hopefuls was Richard Nash, whose Pit Bull Sami immediately clicked with Hudson.

The Nash family welcomed Hudson into their home, and today he serves as a dedicated therapy dog. He spends his days visiting schools and hospice patients, educating the community and doling out comfort and cuddles. And he can do all of that without missing a step thanks to his plastic paw.