Written by Ben Cox – Down a dusty County Road in Brown County, on an unassuming tract of land is a new animal rescue, devoted to big dogs.

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NaNook and Nakoda’s Big Paws rescue, named after two beloved former service animals, is a fledgling operation that is hoping to raise enough funding to put a building on their land for the animals aa well as provide for their current and future needs.

The rescue’s goal is to provide lost, abandoned and owner-surrendered animals permanent, safe, and loving homes and to provide permanent sanctuary, care, and love for special needs animals who could not otherwise be placed in a forever home.

Toni Burleson, director of the animal shelter, says this is something that isn’t work for her: it’s passion. “Animals are my thing, they’re my passion. I’m the happiest I’m ever gonna be whenever I’m around all the animals.”

A freelance worker who commutes virtually from home, Burleson has more time and flexibility than most, which is another reason she decided to start the rescue with her cousin.

Her career has taken her to many different places during her life, but one thing always remained the same, her desire to help animals. “I have traveled all over the United States and wherever I landed I volunteered at animals shelters.”

The change that happens to the dogs after time on her land is one of Burleson’s favorite parts of what she does. “They come in so scared and timid. You can see now that everyone of them are happy and not stressed. I know our shelter would love to be able to do that, they just don’t have the space.”

Burleson stresses that her rescue is exactly that, a rescue. They are a 100% no-kill operation, every animal that comes to NaNook and Nakoda’s will either be adopted out to a loving forever home or spend the rest of their lives on the 10 plus acres Burleson has set aside for her operation.

The rescue can be reached through their Facebook page.

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