Jun 6, 2015 | By Simon
While the surge of interest in 3D printed prosthetics has helped spread the word to those in need and connect them with 3D designers and engineers who are capable of creating custom-designed solutions that can be 3D printed for a very low cost, the same has been holding true for our four-legged friends as well, too.
Within the last twelve months alone, we’ve seen more than a handful of examples of how 3D printing has helped enable dogs from multiple breeds and different sizes with entirely different needs have custom prosthetic solutions designed and tailored exactly for their disabilities.
Among others, we saw how Nimble the puppy was able to walk for the first time after having been born with no legs, how Bubbles the two-legged weiner dog was able to walk again after an injury thanks to his 3D printed wheelchair and how a 3D printed prosthetic helped Derby the Dog run upright for the first time in his life after been born with deformed front legs. Now, a Texas puppy who was born without his front two legs is proving that a physical handicap doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to miss out on the joys in life - particularly the joy of running around outside.
The puppy, Scooter, was found eight months ago at the age of just two months when he was by a friend of owner Tina Gans who lives across the street from a woman who had Scooter in a litter of pups. Gans, of Beaumont, Texas, is a true dog lover and often takes them in in the hopes of helping them find a better home. According to Gans, of the entire litter of puppies, Scooter was the only one born with just two legs while three of the others were born with four legs and sadly, another dog died.
Because of Scooter’s unique two-legged situation, Gans got in touch with the owner of another two-legged dog who also lives in Texas who just so happened to design prosthetic devices for dogs using a 3D printer.
After taking some reference measurements of Scooter’s tiny torso, the kind design engineer 3D modeled a unique design specifically for Scooter and subsequently donated the design to Gans and Scooter free-of-charge.
According to Gans, Scooter initially had an influx of people who wanted to come up and pet him after he started wearing the 3D printed prosthetic, however he has since grown to better-accept the amount of people who want to come up and pet him. She is hoping that after he has matured a little more, Scooter will be able to function as a therapy dog and is currently seeking out how to do so.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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