National Institute of Design student creates mobility aid for paralyzed dogs

AHMEDABAD: A chance trip to an animal shelter inspired a design student to take up a noble challenge. One has often empathized with human beings who are paralysed but seldom does one think about solutions for animals with special needs. Akash More, a furniture design student of National Institute of Design (NID), Paldi, saw a paralyzed dog 'Ginger', and the challenges she faced.He decided to develop a mobility aid for such canines.
The product is a wheeled cart, which secures and enhances mobility in sync with the contours of a dog's body. The wheels, three on each side, not only revolve but also rotate on their axes separately, for better uphill and downhill movement. The wheels are not connected either, so they move individually. "For the cart body, either aluminium or carbon fibre is used to keep it light," said More.
The NIDian had gone to Jivdaya Charitable Trust a some months ago, where he met Ginger who had lost use of her hind legs and lower body due to tick fever that grew into paralysis. This ailment caused difficulties in her hygiene too. "On further research, we found that almost 10 to 15 such cases are registered in this trust alone. Unfortunately, not a single aid is available in the Indian market," he explained.
While Ginger's owners imported a wheel-cart for her, More could still see the difficulties the dog faced. "While she could climb down, she couldn't climb up. I then decided to build a wheel cart which would allow access to stairs and similar terrain," he said. More will soon be collaborating with Jivdaya and other animal NGOs to design carts for animals with special needs.