We always love seeing people helping animals. It’s a truly thankless job — animals don’t usually show much appreciation for a good deed.

But sometimes animals have a sweet way of saying “thanks” to their rescuers, like one kangaroo who offered a handshake to the men who saved him.

According to Daily Mail Australia, a man named David Boyd saw a kangaroo in Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. The water was reportedly freezing, and the animal was unable to get out.

But then, two brave bystanders braved the icy waters to help the roo to safety.

Approaching carefully not to startle the kangaroo, the men got close and tried to grab its arms to lead it to safety. However, the kangaroo started to flail its arms in panic.

But these heroes were undeterred! They managed to get hold of the animal and guide it out of the water.

A third man then pitched in to help lift the kangaroo onto dry land, attempting to calm the scared and shivering animal.

It’s worth noting that while they seem gentle, kangaroos can be quite dangerous if they feel threatened. Their defenses include a strong punch akin to a boxer’s, sharp claws, and a kick so powerful that experts say it can disembowel a man.

Luckily, this kangaroo seemed to understand that these men were there to help. In a heartwarming gesture, it even held out its paw as if to offer a handshake.

“Aw, he’s thanking you,” said the man filming the rescue, capturing this unforgettable moment.

The heroic act didn’t end there. According to the Daily Mail Australia, the kangaroo was in a state of shock and needed a half-hour to calm down.

However, as per a report from the Courier Mail, onlookers said the kangaroo eventually hopped away on its merry path, seemingly unharmed by the ordeal.

Watch the heartwarming video below:

Thank you to these compassionate men for saving this kangaroo! You definitely deserved that “handshake” for saving the day.

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