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We’re back with another success story! Here at K9 Carts, we channel our passion for pets into creating customized carts that allow dogs, cats, and even chickens to regain mobility and improve their quality of life. Every pet is unique, and we relish the chance to get to know each individual case and create a cart that serves that animal well. Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive disease of the spinal cord that generally affects older Pembroke Welsh Corgis, German Shepherds, and Boxers. As the spinal cord degenerates, the dog begins to experience hind limb weakness and eventually loses the use of his or her rear limbs. Today, we’re taking a look at two special dogs that were affected by this disease. They have since passed away, but their story serves as an important reminder that paralyzed canines are perfectly capable of living happy lives. Daisy Mei and Joseph If you’ve ever met a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, you know that they’re some of the friendliest, spunkiest dogs around. Their long torsos, stubby legs, and short tails give them an adorable, perpetually enthusiastic look. Daisy Mei and Joseph were perfect, fun-loving examples of the breed. “Daisy Mei ruled the land and all the tennis balls,” said pet parent Allen C. Johnson, M.D. “Joseph’s domain was the water. Daisy hated to swim. Joseph loved it. He would throw himself into the pool to get the tennis ball, and he was a powerful swimmer.” The pair enjoyed daily walks by the seashore and plenty of attention from visiting tourists. Unfortunately, Corgis are also predisposed to developing degenerative myelopathy, and Daisy Mei began to show signs of DM in 2013. While her right hind leg remained very strong, her left hind leg grew weak. This manifested as a gait disturbance, which resulted in injuries to her left rear foot. In September 2017, Allen noticed the first signs of Joseph’s DM: when Joseph dove into the pool, his stronger hind leg flipped him over, and he sank. “This scared him so much that he never wanted to go into the water again, even with a doggie life vest,” said Allen. And as Joseph weakened, he became less interested in life. “I took him to the beachfront every morning of his life, but he would only want to walk as little as necessary for his potty needs, then just go home,” Allen said. Getting the Corgis Back on Their Feet with Custom Dog Wheelchairs After the onset of Daisy Mei’s DM in 2013, Allen took to the internet to research his options. That’s where he came across K9 Carts. Upon hearing of Daisy Mei’s condition, we got right to work designing and building a dog wheelchair for back legs that would give her the support she needed. “Daisy Mei took to the cart right away,” Allen said. “She was faster in her cart than Joseph was on four legs. She could even get it off the ground to jump for the tennis ball.” Daisy Mei enjoyed romps on the beach in her cart for the next two years. And, when Joseph’s diagnosis came, Allen knew exactly where to turn. While it doesn’t take long for most dogs to get used to the cart, Joseph needed a little extra time. “When we first tried it, he planted his feet and refused to move,” said Allen. Joseph’s hind legs grew weaker, and when Allen brought out the cart again, the little dog was ready for it. “The next time I introduced the cart, he took to it right away and grew completely dependent on it for the last year of his life.” With the help of a dog wheelchair, Daisy Mei and Joseph were once again able to enjoy their morning walks on the beach. Joseph even had a bicycle light affixed to his cart for safer evening walks. “Joseph soon realized he was even more of a tourist magnet in his cart,” said Allen. “When he noticed someone approaching who looked like a good prospect, he would turn and bark at me. That was the sign to get a tennis ball out of my bag and throw it so he could show off for the crowd.” Creating a Unique Cart Because every dog is different, each of our carts is also different. We’re always learning new things and coming up with creative solutions as pet parents take their newly-mobile dogs on varied adventures. Daisy Mei was a smaller Corgi, so our 6-inch wheels were the perfect fit for her custom cart—but they became a special issue when the ocean came into play. “On her morning walk at the beach, she did not hesitate to head straight for the water, climb the rocks, and settle down in a tide pool,” said Allen. He eventually worked out a system of drilling a hole into the hub and spraying in WD-40 after each walk to keep the wheels from degrading, but he still found himself replacing quite a few wheels as Daisy Mei continued to splash about in the water. When Joseph was on his second set of 6-inch wheels, Allen consulted with Glenn, General Manager of K9 Carts. “He made up a super cool looking set of 8-inch wheels with stainless steel hardware,” said Allen. “Joseph was very proud of them, and they lasted the rest of his life.” Allen credits K9 Carts with helping both of his Corgis regain their mobility and interest in life. “The cart kept them mobile and happy, and that made our lives so much better. Without a cart, they would have been miserable and died at least a year sooner,” he said. “The K9 Cart is an elegantly simple device that performs miracles; it keeps animals alive.” Pet Wheelchairs for Animals Big and Small Whether your furry friend is suffering from degenerative myelopathy or in need of surgical rehabilitation, we’re here to help! As the experts in pet mobility, we’ve spent years researching, designing, and building customized pet wheelchairs that give animals a new lease on life. We’d love to help you get your pet back on his or her feet again—give us a call today to learn more about our carts and other mobility aids.

You’ve probably spent many an evening teasing your kitty with a feathered toy or watching her pounce on a crinkly fabric mouse. Despite the fact that you feed them and provide for their needs, cats are still hunters at heart. And even though they sleep for about 15 hours a day, they love to play. But what happens when they’re no longer able to romp around? Our feline friends are valued for their adventurous spirit and playful nature, but mobility issues can rob them of their ability to explore and move around. This loss of independence may cause your cat to lose interest in the world around her. She may even grow depressed and begin to refuse food, leaving you faced with a potentially difficult decision. Is there any way to prolong a sick cat’s life in a way that ensures she’s happy? At K9 Carts, we’re committed to providing high-quality mobility tools and resources that allow pet owners to help their disabled cat or dog. The more information you have, the better prepared you’ll be to address your cat’s unique condition and special needs. Let’s talk about what we mean by “quality of life” and how customized pet wheelchairs can improve that quality for your cat. What is Quality of Life? The term is tossed around quite a bit in regards to animals, but what does it actually mean? Is it a black-and-white “good” versus “bad” determination? Or is it more of a sliding scale? And how on earth is a pet parent supposed to know exactly how their pets are feeling when they can’t open their mouths to tell us? Essentially, “quality of life” refers to a creature’s everyday wellbeing and ability to survive. Your cat has a high quality of life if she is well-fed, has no health issues, engages in regular exercise, and receives attention. She’s happy and living life to the fullest! A cat that has a poor quality of life is in continuous pain, suffering from a health issue that is making it difficult for him to function, and having trouble engaging in play, using the bathroom, or eating. Mobility Issues in Cats that Affect Quality of Life A wide range of diseases, injuries, and other health conditions can cause mobility loss in cats—that’s one reason that you should always seek veterinary care if your cat is suddenly having trouble moving. Here are some health issues and diseases that may cause mobility loss in cats: Arthritis Obesity Fractured back Diabetes Ingrown nail Cerebellar hypoplasia Front or rear amputation Disc disease Old age Post-surgical rehabilitation Because these conditions are so varied, so are the available treatments. In some cases, comprehensive treatment can get your cat back in peak physical condition. But in others, your cat may experience permanent mobility loss and other irreversible consequences. An ingrown nail, for example, can be addressed and rectified, allowing your cat to regain her footing and return to her normal routine. Others, like degenerative disc disease, may only worsen. Regaining Mobility with a Cat Wheelchair If your cat appears to be unhappy, don’t give up hope. Her poor quality of life may be caused almost exclusively by her inability to move. If that’s the case, restoring her range of motion can also improve her overall quality of life, perking her up and allowing her to thrive despite her health issues. First, seek input from your vet, who can evaluate your cat’s condition from a medical standpoint. Depending on your kitty’s overall health and current prognosis, she may be a good candidate for a customized cart. A cat wheelchair can get disabled or elderly felines moving again by providing needed support to their weakened limbs. At K9 Carts, we can create a customized cat wheelchair for back legs or for complete support, allowing your feline friend to regain her range of motion, independence, and quality of life. Each of our cat wheelchairs is built to balance easily on your cat without putting any pressure on his shoulders or front legs. Not only is this lightweight frame ideal for cats with limb weakness, but it’s also an excellent option for post-surgical rehabilitation, older, arthritic cats, and cats who cannot safely receive an operation. Feline Mobility Aids from K9 Carts Here at K9 Carts, we’re passionate about pet health. We believe that every animal deserves a high quality of life, and we’ve poured years of veterinary research into our customized pet wheelchairs to help add to that quality. We’re proud to design, manufacture, and custom fit the only wheelchair designed just for cats on the market today. Along with our high-quality products, we offer unbeatable staff support to ensure that your cat gets the very best fit. If your kitty needs some help getting back on his feet, give us a call today.

Here at K9 Carts, we like to measure our success in happy pets. We’ve been helping special needs animals regain quality of life since 1961, and we’re not slowing down any time soon! Our custom wheelchairs for dogs and other pets get furry and feathery friends moving again, providing an increased range of motion to animals experiencing limb weakness, paralysis, and other conditions that affect their ability to move. We talk a lot about breed-specific health problems and diseases like degenerative myelopathy—after all, these are the issues that our dog wheelchairs address—but these medical conditions can make the world of canine health seem like a gloomy place. In reality, that couldn’t be further from the truth! Exciting advancements in medicine and our very own personalized carts are paving the way for happier, healthier pets the world over. Today, we’re highlighting one of those success stories. Sammi the Shih Tzu Meet Sammi, a 15-year-old Shih Tzu weighing just 7.6 pounds. His pet parents, Raymond and Nancy Crampton, said he’s always been friendly, playful, and active. But when he was diagnosed with a curved spine, his back legs became very weak, and he began to get around by using just his front legs to move himself. Though he loves to go for walks, Sammi’s condition made it impossible for him to enjoy the outdoors, and he went months without being able to frolic and romp around. Eventually, his back half dragged on the ground behind him wherever he went. Animals losing the use of their back legs tend to “crawl” around by using their front limbs, but this way of moving risks injuring a dog’s spine and back paws. A mobility aid seemed like Sammi’s best bet. Sammi’s veterinarian told the Cramptons about his own dog, who suffered from the same problem as the little Shih Tzu. The vet had found a solution in the form of K9 Carts, which provided a customized dog wheelchair for back legs that enabled his pup to regain some range of motion. The Cramptons were impressed by the vet’s demonstration of the cart and reached out to us. They were connected to our customer support, and our design experts got started building Sammi’s new wheels soon after! Because no two dogs are alike, we make sure to customize each of our dog wheelchairs for the best possible fit. We offer both rear and full-support carts to address a variety of conditions that affect mobility, such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. In Sammi’s case, his front legs were still strong—he just needed some rear support to help him get back on his feet! And because we begin designing and building a customized cart the same day we receive an order, he got it sooner rather than later. Getting Sammi Moving with a Customized Dog Wheelchair Some dogs need time to adjust to their new wheelchair, but not Sammi. “He loved it,” said his owners. “Within seconds of putting him in the cart, he was off riding around the house.” And even better—the Shih Tzu is once again able to enjoy walks! He’s now back to his friendly self, saying hello to everyone he meets. “He is so happy to have his new ride to get him moving again,” said the Cramptons. Sammi is loving his newly regained independence, and his pet parents appreciate not having to carry him around everywhere. The little dog is learning to navigate life on wheels with confidence and is now able to get down off of curbs and turn corners in his cart without help. Sammi’s owners take his cart with them everywhere they go, whether they’re visiting a park, going for a walk, seeing friends, or just traveling. They’re pleased with its sturdy construction, light weight, and smooth roll, and count themselves lucky to have found K9 Carts right when Sammi needed help. Improving Quality of Life with Pet Wheelchairs Sammi’s story is just one of tens of thousands—that’s right, we’ve helped that many animals get moving again! But happy pets and pleased customers aren’t just feathers in our cap. Really, they’re evidence that we’re making a difference in the care of animals, helping special needs pets and the owners who love them enjoy more quality time together. Not every pet is a good candidate for a cart, so take some time to consult your vet and evaluate your pet on your own to determine whether he or she might benefit from a pet wheelchair. We’re also happy to help you determine what kind of mobility aid your pet needs. If you have a paralyzed dog or a cat with weak limbs, contact us today to find out more about how our custom made carts can get your pet up and moving again. We can’t wait to help you make your animal companion’s day!

There's plenty of information out there on mobility issues in large dogs. Bigger breeds, with their long legs and large bodies, are prone to a number of injuries and illnesses like canine hip dysplasia. But what about small dogs? Breeds like Chihuahuas and Corgis may be more compact and lower to the ground, but they develop some of the same mobility problems as larger dogs. Due to their size, some are even more likely to suffer from health issues. We’re shedding some light on the mobility problems that affect smaller dogs and showing you how to get these pups up and moving again. Small Breed Mobility Issues The dogs might be adorably tiny, but Pomeranian, Boston Terrier, and Shih Tzu health problems are nothing to coo over. The same goes for Yorkies, Maltese, and every other toy or small breed you can name. Here are some common health issues that limit mobility in these small-but-mighty canines. 1. Brachycephalic Movement Syndrome Brachycephalic dogs like pugs, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus were bred to have shorter muzzles and flatter faces. As a result, they have smaller airways relative to other breeds and often breathe through their mouths to get enough air. (That’s what causes the classic noisy breathing and snorting from pugs!) Because of their small airways and penchant for mouth breathing, these breeds are prone to respiratory problems like inflammation that can make it difficult for them to get around. You may find your small breed getting tired easily or even collapsing after exercise or excitement. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that a dog wheelchair can solve. Work with your vet to develop a plan for managing symptoms and avoiding dangerous situations like heat stroke. He or she may recommend surgery to clear obstructed nostrils or to shorten an elongated soft palate. 2. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a disease of the spinal cord that causes nerve damage and muscle atrophy. Ultimately, DM causes complete paralysis of the hind legs. Certain breeds are affected more than others—DM is one of several significant Corgi health issues, for example. Symptoms include a wobbly gait, dragging of hind legs, loss of balance, and incontinence. While there is currently no cure, the effects of the disease can be managed with proper treatment and the help of mobility aids. 3. Back Problems and Herniated Discs Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), also known as a herniated disc, occurs when the cartilage between a dog’s joints swells or ruptures, damaging the spinal cord. This can cause sensations from discomfort to extreme pain, as well as loss of reflex, a wobbly gait, and partial or full paralysis. Dachshunds and pugs are particularly prone to back problems because their extended spines experience a lot of strain and pressure, leading to health issues like muscle spasms and slipped discs. French Bulldogs are also prone to herniated discs and other back problems, as they were bred to have short back legs and curled tails, leading to birth defects that put too much pressure on the spine. Maintaining Mobility with Small Dog Wheelchairs Your pup might be on the tiny side, but he or she probably has a big personality—and you don’t want to lose that to mobility issues. A dog wheelchair can put the bounce back in your small breed, improving quality of life and expanding range of motion. Worried that your dog is simply too little to fit into a cart? Put your fears to rest, because K9 Carts can design and build customized wheelchairs for small dogs under five pounds. Dog wheelchair are ideal for canines suffering from degenerative myelopathy, a ruptured disc, spinal trauma, IVDD, and other conditions that limit the use of the front or hind legs. Think of them as the canine equivalent of crutches! Not only do these carts help keep a dog’s body and spine stable; they also prevent forelimb stress and work to decompress the spine, aiding in rehabilitation and helping to prevent further injuries. Not every dog is a good candidate for a cart, so speak with your vet and give the towel test a try to determine whether your pet will benefit from a wheelchair and what kind of support will be best. Canines experiencing weakness or partial paralysis in their front and hind limbs will benefit most from a full support dog wheelchair, while those who only have trouble using their back legs can use a rear support design. Get Your Dog Moving with K9 Carts We’re proud to be the leading pet mobility experts, providing animal lovers with everything from high-quality dog wheelchairs to crucial mobility care information. What makes us experts? Years of experience, caring customer support, and a passion for helping animals. Our nearly 60 years of experience in the veterinary field have given us the tools and knowledge necessary to custom-build each of our convertible carts in the U.S.

It’s heartbreaking to see a dog begin to lose his or her range of motion. Without the use of their limbs, our furry friends miss out on long walks, games of fetch, and other fun activities. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Mobility aids like handheld slings and canine wheelchairs can put the pep back in your pup’s step, improving quality of life and even increasing the number of years you get to spend with your dog. With so many canine mobility aids available, how do you decide which one is right for your pet? A number of factors come into play here, such as your dog’s physical condition, medical needs, and overall temperament. We’ve broken down the benefits and intended uses of both dog wheelchairs and handheld slings so that you can make an educated decision when choosing between the two. Dog Wheelchairs Solving a mobility issue isn’t as simple as ordering a generic wheelchair. The process takes some careful evaluating and planning on your part, not to mention designing and crafting the cart itself. Your dog’s specific diagnosis can clarify whether or not she needs a wheelchair. Here are some conditions and issues that make your canine a good candidate for a cart: Advanced degenerative myelopathy Ruptured or herniated disc Spinal trauma Front amputee Cerebellum hyperplasia Cervical disc disease Post-surgical rehabilitation for disk, knee, and hip operations There are two general styles of pet wheelchair: rear support and full support. To determine which type of cart will work best, consider your pet’s current health status. The rear support option is ideal for dogs with strong front legs and weak or paralyzed back legs. Dogs experiencing weakness in both the front and back legs typically require a full support wheelchair. Don’t worry about size as a deciding factor here—because all breeds of dogs can experience paralysis and other mobility issues, K9 Carts creates custom full and rear support wheelchairs that can accommodate animals from under 5 pounds to over 115 pounds. Even better, each of our carts can be adjusted to provide more or less support as your dog’s needs change. The towel test is a simple way to help determine what kind of support your pet needs. Simply cut two leg holes in an old hand towel, put your small dog’s legs through the holes, and see if your pet can walk normally on his front legs with his back held in a level position. For bigger dogs, use a towel under each hind leg. If your pup is able to walk strongly, a rear support wheelchair can give him the back support he needs. But if you notice him showing signs of forelimb weakness like stumbling or taking short, choppy steps, a full support wheelchair is a better option. Handheld Slings Conditions such as forelimb weakness or hip dysplasia in dogs necessitate a little extra help now and then. A harness or handheld sling is generally used as a temporary measure for dogs who need a walking aid. Ideal for canines recovering from surgery or injury, handheld slings can be as much of a boon to you as they are to your canine. Instead of straining your back heaving him up into your arms, these harnesses allow you to give your pup a hand getting into or out of the car, as well as going up and down stairs. K9 Carts offers multiple harness options—from rear slings to full support harnesses—designed to fit a range of needs. Your dog may benefit from the use of a handheld sling if she experiences any of these issues or needs: Weak limbs Post-surgical rehabilitation Front limb amputee Front limb disability or weakness Arthritis Hip dysplasia Spinal traumas Athletic injuries General fatigue Old age Choosing the Best Mobility Aid Some mobility issues can be managed by either a dog wheelchair or harness. If your dog has a condition, such as spinal trauma, that can be mitigated by the use of either option, your decision should come down to her individual needs and overall well-being. If she clearly still has a desire to be active, your pup needs a rear or full support wheelchair. But if she just needs some help getting up now and then, a handheld sling will better meet both your and her needs. Whichever you choose, remember to keep your ultimate goal in mind: restoring a measure of mobility so that your dog can enjoy an increased quality of life by your side. Give Dogs the Support They Need with K9 Carts There are quite a few different pet wheelchairs and animal harnesses out there, but your pup deserves the highest-quality mobility aid possible. K9 Carts is proud to provide the only fully adjustable, convertible dog wheelchair designed by orthopedic veterinarians. Our team of experts will design and build your cart on the same day, providing you with a sturdy solution to your dog’s mobility issues. Still deciding between a cart and a handheld sling? Give us a call today—our experts are happy to answer any questions and help you choose the mobility aid that best fits your pet’s individual needs.

Since the mid-1970s, K9 Carts has been serving mobility impaired pets and their owners. We have been looking to inspire the next generation of animal lovers by sponsoring a micro-scholarship for students entering the field of Veterinary Medicine. We are proud to announce the winner of our 2018 Annual Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, Michaela Von Schenk. Below is her winning essay on Human Psychology in a Veterinary Practice. She believes in the importance of understanding human psychology that should be exhibited in veterinary medicine, like any other career, to give customers a sense of comfort and trust. The winning highlights in her essay: “Human psychology can contribute to a more successful veterinary practice. I would measure a successful facility by an upbeat environment, a knowledgeable yet amiable team, and a compassionate drive behind all approaches. These three contributions can inarguably lead to a more satisfied clientele.” “When I am a veterinarian, I vow to never dismiss the value of a satisfied, content client base. Implementing this knowledge of human psychology to dilute tension will irrevocably lead to happier clients, happier pets, and a healthier veterinary workforce.” Congratulations Michaela Von Schenk on your moving essay!

So your dog needs a wheelchair, but you have other pets. You might be worried that your other companions will act strangely around the dog with the disability, or get outright hostile. Don’t worry: that’s not very likely. We frequently build wheelchairs for dogs who have a pack—and the packs' humans have told us that all the other animals get along fine. This post covers cats and other dogs, since they’re the animals most likely to encounter a dog in a wheelchair. Check with your vet if you take care of a different animal. How Dogs in Wheelchairs Get Along with Other Dogs Dogs are remarkably perceptive about the condition of the dogs in their pack. They’ll notice if one of the pack has a disability, and what the pack needs to do to accommodate it. “[Dogs] all get it—it’s really interesting,” Patricia Denys says. Denys’s dog, Andy, is a Bichon mix. He’s six years old, and he’s had his wheelchair for a few years. Denys’s other dogs get along fine with Andy. She says they’re patient when Andy gets ready for the day. “If we’re going outside or somewhere, the cart comes out first for Andy,” Denys says. “The rest of the dogs know that, and they see the day starting.” The rest of the pack even keeps it together when Andy is getting ready for his walk! “While we put him in the cart, [the rest of the dogs] have to wait, but they’re patient.” So dogs in the same pack get along fine when a packmate gets a wheelchair. However, dogs that haven’t met your dog might have a bad reaction. You’ve probably met dogs at the dog park who get upset when they meet a dog wearing a vest or harness. That kind of dog will react the same way to a dog in a wheelchair. How Dogs in Wheelchairs Get Along with Cats Cats are very particular. (You may have noticed.) So they might be skeptical of the cart when you bring it home. Expect lots of sniffing. But it’s most likely that your cat will get used to the wheelchair. That’s what happened with Denys’s cats. After the initial skepticism, your cat will continue to enjoy a good relationship with your dog—or the opposite of that, if your dog and cat have never gotten along. We can help your dog with a disability get around again, but we can’t convince cats to do anything they don’t want to. Nobody can.

You might be surprised by how quickly your dog will take to a wheelchair. Most of K9 Carts’ thousands of patients were up and rolling very soon after they got their new chair. The process will take some work. But don’t worry: none of the clients we spoke to reported tears (on their part) or howling (on the dog’s part.) That’s even true for very sick dogs. Brick was a one year old German Shepherd who suffered from a malignant tumor. His owner, Doug Faber, who’s from the Seattle area, got Brick a wheelchair about a week before Brick died. Even at a late stage in his life, when Brick was having a very hard time doing much of anything, he took to the cart quickly. “It took him a little while to get used to it,” says Faber. He says that Brick’s reluctance to use the wheelchair wasn’t his comfort or understanding of the cart—it was Brick’s depleted energy. “If I tugged him on leash a little he’d get going. But early on he would sit down. I’d pet him and have him come to me, about six inches to a foot at a time.” It wasn’t long before Brick was rolling around his favorite dog park. The biggest challenge for him early on was acclimating to the cart, and the amount of effort he’d have to use to get around. “At first, did better on pavement than he did on grass,” Faber says. “But he loved Marymoor Park—” a large park in the Seattle suburbs with an off leash area ”—finally, I took him over there. The first time I had to have him on leash, but the second time he did go off leash. By the third time, he was going through tall grass and hanging out with other dogs.” Brick, who was a a very sick and very worn out dog, only took about a week to get acclimated to his wheelchair. The guardians of dogs in wheelchairs all said that their dogs took to the cart without much effort, and mostly on their own. They have a few tips to make the process easier. First, consider putting the dog in a kiddie pool or your bathtub early on in the training process. The water will make their movements easier. Humans do it all the time for physical therapy—dogs can benefit from hydrotherapy also. The other helpful hint we heard from dog owners is one you probably thought of already: treats. “Treats are really helpful,” says Claire Carver. She’s also got a German Shepherd, a fourteen year old named Reja. “It’s just kind of encourages to try ” With some snacks on hand, Carver says, her dog and a friend’s disabled German Shepherd were rolling around in no time. “It only took five minutes.” Photos by Claire Carver

If your dog has to start using a wheelchair, you might worry about their social life. Dogs are pack animals. That’s why they’re members of the families that look after them. And it’s why they go crazy when they chase frisbees with your friend’s dog at the dog park. Don’t worry: your dog can still play with its friends if it has a wheelchair. K9 Carts clients send us regular updates on their patients. We have plenty of photographic and video evidence that wheelchair-bound dogs can have a blast on playdates. How Do Other Dogs React to a Dog in a Wheelchair? You will have to be careful if your dog is in a wheelchair. Some dogs don’t like it when they see dogs in wheelchairs—it freaks them out. “Some dogs do not like the cart—some dogs can be aggressive,” Claire Carver says. Her German Shepherd, Reja, sometimes gets a hostile response from fellow dogs when she’s using her wheelchair. It’s similar to the response that Reja would get when she was still working as a rescue dog and wearing her reflective vest. Expect a hostile response to be the same as if your dog was wearing a vest or sweater on a cold day. Carver says a pet owner taking their wheelchair-bound dog in public should be watchful. Just use the same common-sense caution you would whenever your dog makes a new acquaintance: make sure that the other dog isn’t growling, has its hackles up, or making other hostile moves towards your dog. Dogs in Wheelchairs Get Around They might have less mobility than other dogs, but dogs in wheelchairs don’t have any trouble getting exercise and playing games. K9 Carts clients have told us that their dogs can play fetch and socialize with other dogs. They just have to watch a little closer, and make sure that the dogs don’t rough house as aggressively as they did before their disability. Dogs Help Their Packmates in Wheelchairs Most of the time, your dog will get along fine with the other dogs that they meet in the world. In fact, your dog’s friends might make special accommodation for them. That’s something that Patricia Denys sees with her dog, Andy. Andy’s a six year old Bichon mix. She has other dogs, and the rest of the pack makes sure that Andy’s needs are met. “They all get it—it’s really interesting,” Denys says. “If we’re going outside or somewhere, the cart comes out first for Andy. The rest of the dogs know that, and they see the day starting. While we him in the cart, they have to wait and get hooked up, but they’re patient.” Of course, that might have something to do with the fact that Andy is the alpha of his pack—that didn’t change when he started using his wheelchair. “He’s the leader,” Denys says with a laugh. “He’s a big ham. He’s never been intimidated by other dogs.” Photo provided by Claire Carver.