OrthoPets gives old dogs new hope
Posted : May 10, 2010 5:22 PM
Updated: May 27, 2010 10:50 AM
A Denver based company is giving old dogs some new hope. OrthoPets specializes in orthotics and prosthetics for injured animals. It is the only company in the world that works only on our four legged friends.
It all started six years ago when Amy and Martin Kaufmann began making devices out of their garage.
"In the first three years it was very much trial and error," says Amy. "A human ambulates very different from a human. In the last three years we've brought our veterinarian on staff and with Martin's expertise we've been able to tweak our devices and make them very successful."
For many pets, the braces are second chances when surgery is not an option or was not successful. Each brace is created specifically for each pet, and handmade to fit perfectly.
"We will take a fiberglass casting of a dogs leg," says Martin. "Then we turn that plastic casting into a plaster model."
After the plaster model is created, they heat a sheet of flat plastic in a convection oven. Then they drape the heated plastic over a the plaster model and begin cutting out the actual brace. After the brace is made, they add hinge componentry, straps, buckle, and tread.
The devices run anywhere from 500 to 800 dollars. An expensive price-tag, but still a cheaper option to surgery.
"A lot of times owners are willing to do anything that they need. Compared to surgery, it is just a fraction of the cost," says Amy. "They love their animals and they want to do what is best."
OrthoPets has grown a lot since first opening six years ago. They now have distribution centers throughout the world, and a five thousand square foot facility in Denver. Amy Kaufmann estimates they work on about 120 animals a month. They have also opened a pain management clinic.
For more information on Orthopets and their services, visit their website, http://www.orthopets.com/.
