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Blueberry the Great Dane at full stride
For the past 20 years, ever since his own Doberman Pinscher, Buddha, became paralyzed due to disc disease, Ed Grinnell has been designing and manufacturing mobility carts for dogs with disabilities. A mechanical engineer by trade, he brings a lifetime of professional experience to this work, incorporating the highest engineering standards with special consideration to each pet's unique disabilities and anatomy.
His revolutionary design, based on supporting the animal on its skeleton – on the pelvic floor in the rear, with an opening yoke over the shoulders – has won the accolades of veterinarians and canine physical rehabilitation practitioners worldwide. This design protects pets from some of the common side-effects created by canine carts – skin breakdown and urine burn from supporting pets on the soft tissue, and loss of core muscle tone caused by girth straps encircling the spine.
Ed and Leslie Grinnell have been living with dogs with disabilities for 20 years. Our own dogs, together with the hundreds of disabled dogs whom we have personally measured and fitted in their carts each year, have been our inspiration. They have taught us how to meet the challenges of providing our disabled soul companions with the equipment and the care they need to lead a “dog's life”.
Our customer care team, headed by Leslie Grinnell and Carole Groman (a certified animal massage therapist), is dedicated to providing each caregiver with the emotional support, product information and assistance they need to be successful in caring for their pet. We are happy to work with you and your vet or animal rehab practitioner to incorporate a mobility cart into the pet's care plan and your lifestyle. And yes, we build carts for cats, goats, bunnies, alpacas..... any 4 legged in need!
In the past 10 years, our business has grown by word-of-mouth, through online support groups, such as Dodgers List and DM support groups, satisfied customers, and the recommendations of animal professionals. We've also been the grateful recipient of national media attention, on the Associated Press Wire Service, CNN, WGBY, WBZ , NPR and the Today Show. |
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Visiting Eddie's Wheels
We are extremely grateful to the thousands of clients who have traveled a distance to bring their pets here for evaluation, measurement and fittings. Because we've been privileged to personally meet so many of customers, we've gained invaluable experience in taking accurate measurements, understanding the anatomical differences of different dogs by breed, and developing simple techniques to aid dogs in using their carts successfully.
If you live within a drivable distance to the lovely village of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts , and would like to bring your pet here for a free evaluation, measurement and (possible) try-out in one of our in-stock sample carts, call us at 888-211-2700. Each year, several hundred pet owners come to our facility to have their animals fitted for custom wheelchairs. While you're here, you might also want to take advantage of a consultation and animal massage session with Carole Groman, our resident animal massage therapist.
Click here for our story and directions to Eddie's Wheels.
Hand & Paw Animal Massage
Have you ever had a massage, and if so, why? Animals need massage for the same reasons humans do:
Carole massages Sweet Pea's overused shoulders
- bodies overcompensating for disabilities
- pain, stiffness, tension or spasms of joints and muscles
- injuries
- post-surgery recovery
- rehabilitation
- stress relief
- muscle atrophy
- emotional/trust issues
The benefits of massage include:
- improved cardiovascular and lymphatic circulation
- increased joint and muscle comfort
- increased flexibility and range of motion
- increased energy
- enhanced function of all body systems
- trust and bonding support
- possible early detection of abnormalities
Carole Groman, MST, CSAMT graduated from the Small Animal Program at the Bancroft School of Massage in Worcester, MA. She initially began her affiliation with Eddie's Wheels during the summer of '07 , as an intern, and upon graduation, was invited to conduct her practice in the Eddie's Wheels treatment room. She is available to work on animals that are receiving carts and/or belong to people living in the immediate area. An initial session generally lasts 45-60 minutes, and includes a complete review and medical history, along with bodywork. If logistically possible, follow-up treatments may be scheduled and are 30-45 minutes. During the session, Carole will use: Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, passive range of motion exercise, acupressure and Reiki. Along with working with your pet, Carole will also instruct you in techniques that you may continue on your own, at home. Call Carole during business hours at Eddie's Wheels to schedule a time. |
The Standard Rear Wheel Cart
- For pets with normal strength in their front legs and shoulders, who need assistance in the rear
- Carts are sized by dog's weight, age, activity level, and exercise terrain
- Optional stirrups available for dogs with neurological deficits that cause foot dragging or knuckling
- Can be upgraded if necessary to cope with increasing levels of disability
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Neutral-Balanced carts
- For dogs with forelimb or shoulder pain or weakness, wobblers syndrome, degenerative myelopathy, elbow dysplasia, hyper-extension of the carpus
- By moving the wheels slightly forward and using an adjustable support strap under the chest, the yoke will rise slightly off the shoulders, making the cart weightless for the animal.
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