Categories: PETS

Eddie’s Wheels has been giving mobility to pets with disabilities for 25 years | Local News


SHELBURNE FALLS — For more than 25 years, Eddie and Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels have been giving dignity and independence to special needs animals with mobility issues, while combatting prejudice against disability. 







Chewy, a 95-pound, 12-year-old German shepherd, is measured for a custom cart by Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels. Chewy has been diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy and is starting to show weakness. His owner Trish Rodrigue stands at right.









Leslie Grinnell measures Chewy, a 12-year-old German shepherd, for a mobility cart.









While he doesn't need one yet, Chewy, a 95-pound, 12-year-old German shepherd, tries out a mobility cart.



In 1989, the Grinnells found themselves in a difficult position when their beloved blue Dobermann, Buddha, lost the use of her rear legs due to spondylosis and disc disease. The two options presented to them by their vet were a risky, expensive surgery or euthanasia.

Declining those options, they took care of Buddha — who was neither in pain nor depressed — and looked into wheelchair options for their dog







An array of custom dog wheelchair carts made by Eddie's Wheels in Shelburne Falls.









Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, does some adjustments on a cart based on Chewy's measurements before allowing the dog to try it out.



Eddie, who was dissatisfied with the wheelchair options, decided to build her a custom wheelchair.

“A mechanical engineer by trade, he analyzed the canine skeleton and designed a cart that would support Buddha on her pelvic floor with a yoke over her shoulders. This would give her spine the support it needed to heal,” says the company's website.







Peter Sandberg, a former motorcycle mechanic who has worked in the shop at Eddie's Wheels for the last few months, measures a mobility cart that he is building for a client.









Danny Risatti of Eddie's Wheels measures a mobility cart for a client. Risatti said he's always been mechanically inclined. He said he was the kid who always would take his toys apart.



Buddha improved and was eventually able to walk again. When Eddie's own disabilities forced him from corporate life, he started to build wheelchairs for dogs and in 1999, Eddie's Wheels was born.







Shana Larkin manufactures the saddle on a cart she is building for a client in the shop at Eddie's Wheels in Shelburne Falls. According to Leslie Grinnell, the saddle, or padding, is what makes their carts unique. The padding is adhered to the cart and doesn't move, eliminating chaffing for the pet.









Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, does some adjustments on a cart based on Chewy's measurements before allowing the dog to try it out.









Shana Larkin of Eddie's Wheels manufactures the saddle on a cart she is building for a client. According to Leslie Grinnell, the saddle, or padding, is what makes their carts unique. The padding is adhered to the cart and doesn't move, eliminating chaffing for the pet.



Now all of the parts, except for the wheels, are fabricated and manufactured in their workshop. Their unique carts are sent all over the world. Every cart is warrantied for the life of the pet it was built for. Many donate the cart back to Eddie's Wheels after their pet passes away.







Tyler Rock, who is a partner in Eddie's Wheels, makes some adjustments on a cart.









Danny Risatti of Eddie's Wheels measures a mobility cart for a client. Risatti said he's always been mechanically inclined. He said he was the kid who always would take his toys apart.



Eddie's Wheels has manufactured mobility carts for many different animals beside dogs. According to Eddie, cats, goats, pigs, sheep, lambs, rabbits, raccoons, possums, ferrets, alpacas and even a Fennec fox have been the recipients of such mobility carts. 







Neville, a 7-year-old chihuahua, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Neville was born without front legs.









Neville, a 7-year-old chihuahua, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Neville was born without front legs.



Back in 2018, an episode of Murphy Brown featured one of their mobility carts on a Boston terrier that Murphy adopted from an animal shelter. According to Leslie, the only inaccuracy in the episode was that the cart squeaked. Their carts do not squeak, but it worked in the comedy of the show.







Finch, a 7-year-old long-haired chihuahua from Tennessee, was adopted by Leslie and Eddie Grinnell. Finch has a broken back and has to have his bladder expressed every day, but took to his wheelchair easily, according to Grinnell.





Source link

Doggone Well Staff

Recent Posts

Trainer reveals how to teach your dog to greet people calmly

Does your dog love greeting people? If your dog gets a bit too overexcited when…

2 hours ago

Humane Society of Yuma’s summer camp teaches kids to be ‘good to our pets’

Summer’s meant to be a break from school but it doesn’t have to be a…

3 hours ago

Pet-friendly travel surges in China as pet economy booms

Chinese pet owners are increasingly choosing to bring their pets along on vacation, fueling a…

6 hours ago

Cooling off your four-legged friends during a heat wave | How to keep your pets safe

As this historic heat wave continues in our region, you want to keep your loved…

8 hours ago

I’m a vet – everyday habit you do without thinking could be silently destroying your dog’s mental health

FOR many families, the car is a part of daily life - from school runs…

8 hours ago

What Does Science Say About Pet Allergies? | Homes

Key TakeawaysPet allergens are found in almost all homes, even without petsSymptoms often mimic colds…

9 hours ago