There are events that mark our lives in an incomparable way. Seeing our ARISTODOG or ARISTOCAT suffer is one of them. Illnesses and accidents sometimes lead to the unfortunate fact that one of our ARISTOPETS has to have a limb amputated. Anyone who has been through this knows how hard it is and how difficult it can be to return to normal afterward. Fortunately, to shed light on such difficult circumstances, initiatives that touch the heart emerge. Ideas that move us through their humanity, innovation, and creativity.
The one we are sharing with you today is an extraordinary example. To learn about it, we have to travel to Sterling, a town of about 27,000 residents in Virginia (United States), where there is a guardian angel for animals. Specifically, for those that have unfortunately suffered the amputation of one of their limbs.
That angel is called Derrick Campana, a young man who founded an organization whose mission is to provide a good quality of life for animals living with amputated limbs. The organization, Animal Ortho Care, works with nonprofit foundations to provide a prosthesis (or several, as in the case of Chi Chi, this wonderful rescued golden retriever) to any animal that has lost one of its limbs. Only five other organizations around the world are known to perform this work.
ARISTODOGS and ARISTOCATS, but not only them: also horses, goats, llamas, turtles, and even elephants. Any animal that needs a prosthesis will find its best ally in Animal Ortho Care. Using noninvasive techniques, they achieve what seems —apparently— impossible: helping an animal regain its mobility, happiness, and desire to live. For Campana, every case he faces represents much more than a challenge; it is a personal matter of vital importance. And he has made miracles a reality, such as helping Motala, an Indonesian elephant, become happy again thanks to a colossal leg made from ultra-resistant materials. Or helping Angel Marie, a pony whose mother accidentally stepped on her front legs at birth, walk safely through life again, as can be seen in this moving video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqxLvVyWjeQ
Every month, Animal Ortho Care helps around 200 animals. In fact, over the twelve years it has been operating, Campana estimates that he has seen around 25,000 animals worldwide. Today, his technique already incorporates 3D printing technology, making it easier for the prostheses to fit the animal's needs even better. It also makes the process much simpler and manufacturing much faster. Derby was one of the first dogs to experience the benefits of 3D prostheses. Thanks to them, he not only regained his mobility, but also his quality of life and the ability to play and interact with other ARISTODOGS on equal terms.
Without a doubt, this is an innovative, deeply humane, and admirable initiative. If you liked this news, we invite you to share the post. Because only by spreading the word about projects this wonderful can we inspire more and more people to take action. If you would like to learn about other commendable initiatives, we invite you to keep reading the post about «The Black Dog Syndrome» and also about «The yellow dog project».
To finish, we leave you with this moving video showing how one of these prostheses gives a dog back its desire to live… and to dedicate its life to helping others. Speechless!