by Linda Goodman …
When you spot a three-legged dog or one rolling along happily in a wheelchair, how does it make you feel? Some feel an instant pang of sympathy, while others can’t help but admire their joy and determination. It seems we humans often fall into two camps when it comes to dogs with disabilities. And just like with people, not all disabilities are immediately visible.
In many cases, a dog who is blind or partially sighted doesn’t always look any different at first glance, and their carer may need to explain that they’re visually impaired. The same is often true for deaf dogs. But when we see a dog using a wheelchair, it can spark an instant emotional response … feelings of pity from some, or awe and amazement from others. Do these same people have a similar response when they see a human in a wheelchair I wonder?
What would you do?
Now take a moment to think about your own beloved dog. If an accident or illness meant they needed a wheelchair to get around, how do you think you would respond? Most of us would rush straight to the vet, searching for answers and hoping to find a way forward. And if our dogs aren’t in pain or suffering, many of us would choose to explore how we can support them to continue living a happy, fulfilling life. Of course, that might mean a little more hands-on care … helping with toileting, adapting walks, or finding new ways to play together. But caring for our dogs through every stage of their lives is part of the bond we share with them. After all, that’s what being their best friend is really about.
It’s also important to acknowledge that not everyone is able to provide this level of care themselves, and that’s okay. In those situations, seeking help from a specialist charity or rescue with experience in caring for disabled dogs can be a loving and responsible choice … one that gives a dog the chance to continue living a comfortable, happy life.
Times have changed
Decades ago, a dog who couldn’t use their back legs was often seen as an immediate candidate for euthanasia. Thankfully, our understanding has grown enormously since then. Today, we know just how resilient and adaptable dogs can be, and how capable they are of embracing life, whatever it throws at them.
There are now far more options available to help disabled dogs live happy, fulfilling lives. You only need to go on social media to see how much dogs in wheelchairs are enjoying their lives … zooming around parks and fields with their owners trying to catch up with them is an absolute joy to watch. Thanks to advances in veterinary science, prosthetics for three-legged (and even two-legged) dogs are becoming increasingly accessible too.
Accident, illness or congenital?
Every disabled dog’s story is different. In some cases, loss of mobility is the result of trauma or injury, such as road traffic accidents or falls that damage the spine or spinal cord. In others, dogs develop conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), where bulging or ruptured discs press on the spinal cord. This condition is more common in breeds such as Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, Pekingese, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. Another condition is Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), a progressive spinal disease that typically affects older dogs and leads to gradual paralysis. And, of course, some puppies are born with congenital conditions that affect their mobility from birth.
Because every dog’s circumstance is individual, there’s no one size fits all approach, but there is plenty of advice and assistance out there if you know where to look.
Ensuring a happy, fulfilling life
Below are just some of the many amazing, compassionate charities dedicated to supporting disabled dogs and their families, while challenging the misconception that a disabled dog cannot enjoy a good quality of life. I encourage you to visit their social media pages and websites to see for yourself the happiness and freedom these dogs experience in their wheelies.
Even if you’re not in a position to adopt a disabled dog right now, there are many meaningful ways you can support these amazing charities. Following them on social media, sharing their posts, and spreading awareness helps challenge outdated perceptions and makes you an ambassador for disabled animals.
If you currently donate to larger national charities, you might also consider supporting smaller rescues, many of which are fundraising to open desperately needed specialist centres. Above all, help them combat the prejudice that still exists around disabled dogs.
We chose the name Woofability with an emphasis on ability for a reason. Together, we can change the narrative — from focusing on what disabled dogs can’t do, to celebrating everything that they can.
Broken Biscuits are a disabled animal charity and disabled dog park, giving dogs back their run. They work with vets to educate the wider community about the possibilities of life post injury, with the right care and equipment. Just like with disabled humans, a life changing injury or illness need not be a life ending one. They work to promote the many options available to treat and rehabilitate injured animals and restore their mobility so that they can return to healthy, active lives. They advocate for the potential of injured animals and provide practical means to help families stay together.
Working directly with veterinary professionals, and related experts, they provide wheelchairs and other mobility aids to dogs in need to aid their rehabilitation and get them rolling.
Flori’s Friends Rescue are a 100% nonprofit charitable organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming severely abused and unwanted animals. They specialise in the care of paralysed dogs and animals with complex medical needs to give every animal the best chance at a happy, fulfilling life. They provide free wheelchair fittings and mobility training for dogs that have recently become paralysed or have lost mobility and/or continence.
They also rescue hundreds of able-bodied animals and are a specialist rehabilitation centre for disabled and mobility impaired animals. They have a specialist network of vets, suppliers and trainers who help to take care of these dogs and get them the right treatment for their needs. Once they’ve been treated physically and nursed back to health, Flori’s Friends start to train them to use their new wheelchairs and sometimes even prosthetics.
Pawsitive Futures‘ mission is to give disabled dogs and cats the care, dignity, and second chances they deserve. Through rescue, rehabilitation, responsible rehoming, and lifelong sanctuary where necessary, they work to improve animal welfare and challenge misconceptions about disability in animals. They provide rehabilitation for disabled animals, helping them regain mobility and confidence – training for deaf, blind and deaf/blind dogs to be able communicate (signs or touch training) and live life to the full.
They also provide a safe haven for animals who cannot be rehomed, ensuring they receive lifelong care.
Pumpkin the wheelchair Westie is an internet sensation. She was adopted when she was 8 weeks old by Tammie and Richard who instantly fell in love with her. Pumpkin couldn’t use her back legs and had no control of her bladder or bowels. The specialist said Pumpkin would never walk again. Her story went viral and people donated thousands of pounds for her treatment. Unfortunately, an MRI scan revealed her spine and legs and been broken, and her spinal cord severed. But Pumpkin isn’t in pain; she is paralysed from the waist down and double incontinent and also needs weekly hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and red laser treatments. This is to keep her front limbs strong. Incredibly Pumpkin became a therapy dog when she was 9 months old and visits care homes, schools, universities and work places, educating the public about disabled animals and kindness to animals.
In June 2022 they set up a registered charity called Pumpkin and Friends to raise awareness of disabled animals as well as helping and supporting families with disabled animals. They provide the equipment needed to give them their freedom back with wheelchairs, harnesses and strollers.
In May 2017, at the age of 9, Winston was diagnosed with a tumour on his spine. Within a short time, he lost the use of his hind legs. And his owner, Rachel, was faced with the heart-breaking realisation that she might have to let him go. Desperate to find a way of keeping him mobile, she posted on social media, and a lovely man contacted her to say he had a wheelchair that Winston could use. She would never have been able to afford to buy Winston the wheelchair he needed but thanks to the kindness of a complete stranger, he had an extra 4 years as a very happy staffie.
Winston’s Wheels is Winston’s legacy – and since his passing in June 2020 they carry his memory on. Just like Winston, they want to help dogs get their freedom back – either in the short-term after an accident or operation, or with a permanent set of wheels.
In 2013, Gill Daghistani agreed to look after a rescue dog from Hungary for a couple of days while transport was arranged to take him to his new home in Scotland. When the Animal Team transporter took Wolfie out of her car she told Gill he wasn’t going to last long. Gill was immediately smitten with Wolfie, and in that instant knew that he would change her life. Wolfie had suffered years of neglect, and when he was finally rescued, he was riddled with severe mobility issues. When his Degenerative Myelopathy came to light, his intended home was no longer an option, so Gill who’d fallen head over heels for Wolfie, gave him a loving home until he passed away aged 14.
Gill realised that whilst there were so many people willing to rehome able-bodied dogs, no one was doing the same for dogs with special needs. They were rejected at ‘rescues’, or almost always put to sleep by vets, because they were considered hard work or perceived unlikely to enjoy a good quality of life. Wolfie’s Legacy was born, later becoming a registered charity in 2017. Since then, Gill and her team have rehabilitated and rehomed over 500 dogs of all ages, from all over the world, with varying degrees of disability.
WOOFABILITY 