There is one very special dog among the animals rescued by the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home.” It uses a wheelchair. Its name is Stephen, like Stephen Hawking.
“The dog was knocked down by a car, and it, barely alive, was found near the road by the volunteers, who brought it to the veterinary clinic. Later, it was brought to us with the diagnosed pelvic fracture,” the head of the All-Ukrainian Service for Wild, Exotic and Domestic Animals Rescue “Feldman Ecopark Good Home” Iryna Podvoiska tells. “The doctor recommended remaining at ‘bed rest’ – to fix the position and to limit any movements for the pelvis to gradually recover itself, because the other vital organs were not damaged. Indeed, three months later, our guy started to feel the legs and tried to put them right, although vacillatingly. The process of rehabilitation will be very long and, of course, the wheelchair is a great support for the dog. Thanks to our volunteers for the help in its creation. Stephen is very grateful to this wheelchair, as well as we are, because it is an important element on the way towards recovery.”
The animal rights activists tell about the creation of this ‘vehicle’ for the special dog in details:
“We had a small consultation, during which we have discussed all the details and developed the special construction. We have considered the size of the animal and all the peculiarities to construct this wheelchair. A lot of useful information was taken from the Internet: what must be taken into account for the dog to easily move, what fastening must be used for it not to press and not to tighten. This was the way we constructed this dog’s wheelchair. Stephen liked it, as it satisfies all its needs – it allows the dog to move, to communicate, and, the main thing, to recover. We are glad that we’ve done it.”
A dog in a wheelchair is a young (only a year and a half) cheerful and friendly animal. It likes human company very much.
“Stephen likes to play, although due to the injury the dog gets tired quickly. Because of the wheelchair, it gained new habits: like putting fore legs on the kerb to have a rest, or climbing on some height,” Iryna Podvoiska tells about the character and behaviour of the dog. “It may sit this way for a long time watching people and listening to what happens around.”
According to Iryna Podvoiska, it is inappropriate to call Stephen a dog with special needs, because it will soon be able to live without the wheelchair.
“Of course, it is special right now, as it has two wheels in addition to the legs,” Iryna laughs. “But we hope very much that in a month or two our guy will be able to walk like all of our four-legged friends. That is why it is possible to make the decision about the appearance of such a cool pet in your home. We are ready to give it to good hands.”
