14 DAY TRIAL // Animals get bone injuries more often than people do, and veterinarians do their best to help them, but even with their superior healing there are situations when nothing can be done. Death can usually be averted after a dog or cat survives an accident, but sometimes a leg just has to go.
Other times, the limb remains warped or otherwise rendered useless for life. Such was the case for Derby, a dog owned by Tara Anderson.
You might or might not recognize her as 3D Systems’ director of CJP product management. She adopted Derby through a rescue group, not long ago.
Derby is not an accident victim
Unlike other animals that wind up permanently harmed through some accident or gratuitous violence, Derby has always been unable to walk. He was born with both front legs deformed.
Initially, Anderson tried to put Derby into a special set of wheels. The attempt was a limited success, since it allowed the dog to move about but it didn't do it that well. Pivoting, most importantly, was impossible.
After that, she enlisted the help of her team at 3D Systems in order to make prosthetic legs that would solve the problem.
The final design concluded in success. Derby now has two legs that are looped at the end (instead of pointed) and allow him to walk and run whenever he wants, without the risk of them getting stuck in the ground. Or at least with a low risk.
As you can see in the video, Derby can run almost as well as he would be able to if he were born with proper legs, although not as fast.
We also noted that he still tips forward a bit, since the legs don't quite elevate the front of his body as much as they should, but more might have led to balance or stability issues.
No one says that Anderson can't come up with improved designs though. Given how much she seems to love the dog, and considering that the prosthetics will probably wear down eventually, she'll probably have to print new ones in a year or two.
Watch and be amazed at the changes
As you can see in the video, even before the prosthetics Derby was pretty adamant about making the best of his situation. He was literally crawling around, pushing himself with his hind legs alone. Now, he can accompany people on their morning jogs.
