A friend sent me pictures of two disabled dogs (Scooter and Lulu) looking for a home. I checked them out knowing in advance I would probably say something like, “I hope they find a home, I would love too help but my schedule and house layout will not let me”. But that did not happen. I saw two Chihuahuas that needed help. I inquired naively about little doggy wheel chairs and was told that they we
re too expensive and the dogs were getting by without them. I have a biomechanics background and knew that there had to be something out there. A time was scheduled to meet the dogs and in the mean time I researched what was available. In many cases the existing wheel chairs were not taking advantage of new materials / construction methods and were biomechanically inappropriate for the dog’s needs. The first meeting with Scooter was nothing short of inspiring. No longer was there a dog needing help. He was a dog acting like a dog and not letting his disabled legs stop him. He dragged himself from room to room to keep up with us. He went off exploring and later played with my other dogs. It was clear to me that this little guy was no longer an object of my earlier observation of what he could not do, but what he could do. That sounds simple to put into words, but to experience it changed my life. After some trial and error, the two little dogs with different problems had functional carts to enhance their quality of life. Scooter, had no use of his hind legs so he dragged them behind him. Lulu had limit use of her spastic hind legs and that was more debilitating as she could not move in a straight line. When Lulu was in her cart, you could barely tell she had a problem. Scooter's reaction to watching his friend finally move and not flop around was inspiring at a level I can not put into words. ( I was berated later in a video by a person thinking it was cruel to have Lulu in a cart while Scooter chased her around dragging himself. They had no way of knowing his joy.) The foster mom made a comment about her little charges, and their new carts, on an internet newsgroup. The inquiries came in from all over the country. Little Scooter and Lulu had the good fortune to be rescued from a shelter, then into a foster home for a year. Soon after getting the carts, both dogs found permanent homes. The story repeated on the next two carts. (Perhaps I could maximize the purpose of the carts by making easily available to the dogs most in need. Fostered handicapped dogs often do not find another home. The dogs with a cart often find a forever home in 30 days.) The carts now are provided to foster homes free of charge. Donations have helped increase the number carts built. Each one is custom as each dog is different. The joy of helping happens every day watching the videos and pictures of the carts with their new riders. I experience kindness in people that use to be a rare event. I can honestly say that building dog carts has done as much for me as the new little passengers. Why do you limit the size to 15 pounds? (others by request)
The simplicity of the design I use depends on the inherent strength of the materials used. Very little reinforcement is needed which would complicate things. As the size goes up, the inherent strength goes down. Also, the heavier dog is less tolerant of prolonged pressure on the support areas. More padding and support is needed. I am experimenting on larger sizes, especially for the use in rehabilitation as the use is shorter termed. "To close your eyes will not ease another's pain." Proverb-Chinese
How many styles of wheel chairs do you make? Three basic types, but keep in mind, each one is custom. Standard cart that allows the dog to use his hind legs some. This is also used for rehabilitation. The stirrup cart. This cart has stirrups in the back to elevate the rear legs to prevent dragging. This cart is use for a variety of purposes, from the aged dog to the front leg impaired dog.
