Angel Marie the pony was stepped on by her mother shortly after she was born.Her front legs were so severely damaged, she was too crippled to walk.
It was a challenge Derrick Campana, the so-called “Dr Doolittle” of animal prosthetics, was ready to tackle.
The certified orthotist at Animal Ortho Care in Sterling, Virginia fashioned prosthetic front legs using highly durable, medical grade plastics.
He told Media reporters how watching Angel Marie take her first steps was emotional:
“Seeing her walk, and having her here today walking is just a dream come true. A miracle.”
Reuters
Owner Lennie Green credits Campana with saving Angel Marie’s life.
Green told Media:
“The kids just love her to death. And she loves kids. It’s really a great thing. The prosthetics, if it wasn’t for that she wouldn’t have made it.”
Campana started his career in making orthotics for humans, and saw a niche for helping animals. He’s become a go-to in the industry globally — he’s fashioned prosthetic limbs for an elephant in Thailand that had it’s legs blown off by land mines. While he is not a veterinarian, Campana says his practice is a cost-effective alternative to more invasive procedures at the vet.
The future in prosthetics, he says, is likely in 3D printing, which he says is costly now, but may become more affordable in years to come.
… All of which will give furry pals near and far a leg up in life and thats the kind of #GoodNews we like to shout about!!
