Counterbalanced Carts with Training Wheels for Rehab

Dogs needing more support than the counterbalance provides can use detachable front training wheels.  Positioned slightly off the ground, like bicycle training wheels, these front wheels provides balance and respite for dogs too weak to support themselves full-time in the front legs. 

Counterbalanced carts with training wheels are excellent rehab carts.  They encourage the dog to bear weight themselves by making it necessary for them to do so in order to turn the cart.  They have been used successfully as post-operative rehab carts, and for dogs rehabilitating from strokes. 

Brodie's Story

Brodie,   a young retriever mix, had an FCE in March 2003.  When he arrived for his fitting, all he could do was lie sternal and wag his tail.  We put him in his custom-built counterbalanced cart with training wheels and extra belly support, and stood him up on his feet.  He inched his way across the floor to reach his treats, with a wagging tail and an enthusiastic spirit.   At 65 lbs., and virtually quadriplegic, this was the most  work I had ever seen  this type of cart do.  After  2 days of using his cart, Brodie could trot in his cart.  After  only four days, he was able to stand  independently of the cart and take a few wobbly steps.  A few weeks later, he gave up using his cart completely.  In June, he began hydrotherapy with Julie Stuart of New England Physical Therapy for Animals, who writes:

"I met Brodie 3 months after his FCE and he was walking extremely well on all fours with only slight ataxia and occasional balance issues.  Given the severity of his FCE, which had affected his upper cervical spine and lower brain stem, I was amazed at how much he had recovered in just 3 months. 
I think that the progress was largely due to the  confidence that the cart gave him and therapeutic effect it had on his body.  When a dog is fully supported and doesn't have to worry about losing his balance and falling, they can practice using their legs and bearing weight much more easily.  I think that the mobility achieved with these carts facilitate the neurological recovery process tremendously.  I refer many of my clients to Eddie's Wheels to obtain a cart, not because they won't get back to independent walking (because they will!), but rather to use the cart as a rehabilitation aid to assist them in walking sooner.  I am finding that the combination of cart walking and swimming is significantly improving the functional outcomes for many neurologically impaired dogs. And Eddie's Wheels are by far the best!"

	Brodie was trucking along in his cart the second day he had it.
	Brodie's Mom and Grandmother worked hard to bring him back.  Lots of rare roast beef was hard to resist.
	Now Brodie is out of his cart for good, and can sit down after an active day.