Paralyzed puppy walks with canine wheelchair

12-week old pup Benjamin Bunny has regained his mobility

Article content

An adorable pup named Benjamin Bunny can walk again despite a severe spinal deformity.

People Magazine featured the canine cutie recently in a story about the dog’s custom wheelchair from Walkin’ Pets, an animal mobility company based in the U.S.

(Closer to home, similar products for dogs that have walking issues are available at Handicapped Pets Canada while animal prosthetics can be found at PawsAbility in Leaside.)

Benjamin Bunny is 12 weeks old but was given up not long after being born.

The rescue pup was surrendered by a breeder to Bosley’s Place in Georgia, a dog rescue organization.

There, Benjamin Bunny was hand-fed and cared for until he was strong enough to go to a foster family.

Luckily, that foster family was with Beth Williams; you can see wonderful pictures of Benjamin on the Instagram page at The Tucker Farm.

Williams got mobility therapy for Benjamin but when he didn’t seem to be making much progress, she got Walkin’ Pets to make the dog a custom mobility cart. It will grow with him.

Article content

Dog ‘wheelchairs’ are used by canines who are injured or become disabled with dysplasia or other hip issues; carts are used for front and rear leg problems.

Williams told People, “Benjamin loves his wheelchair, and wheelchair time is priceless to him! For now, we are doing short periods of time in his wheels as we work to build up his strength, but Benny would stay in his Walkin’ Wheels all day if we let him.”

She also commented on the dog’s independence and spirit.

Neurologists have told the family that Benjamin, who appears to be some sort of poodle cross, has a spinal issue behind the shoulders which makes it unlikely that he will ever regain mobility.

While the dog may not ever walk on his own on all four paws, he may develop the skills to walk in a way that will be pain-free.

His wheelchair will help him get those skills.

Meanwhile, as Benjamin Button looks for his forever home, a GoFundMe has been set up to cover the pup’s medical bills and provide for his future.

Anyone familiar with the unconditional love dogs provide will not be surprised to learn the fund is doing well.