Mobile, house call, and location based services
Chicago, IL and surrounding suburbs
“We help your dog enjoy more days and return to the activities they love! Specializing in IVDD, post op, carts, and more!”
Carts, Harnesses & Braces, OH MY!
Custom fitting & Pet Education
My Story with Carts
My Rosie was paralyzed in her rear legs when I first adopted her. It was 2010, and Rosie had come from a loving family in a small town in Michigan. When Rosie first became paralyzed, her parents did the best they could. They loved her, and weighing only ten pounds, they were able to carry her around the house. Her parents were elderly, and when her mother hurt her own back, and was no longer able to carry Rosie, they made the selfless decision to seek out a rescue group and rehome her.
When I adopted Rosie, her foster Mother handed me a cart that her first family had purchased for her. I remember that it was red, and my heart sank when I saw it. I just had a moment where I imagined her family, loving her as much as they did, ordering Rosie this cart in a Hail Mary attempt to be able to keep her. And my heart broke when I imagined the hopelessness they mut have felt when they put her in it. Because, just looking at it, I knew it would never have fit her. And if it wouldn’t fit her, she wouldn’t have been able to stand or move in it.
A well fitting cart can be an amazing asset to a pet’s rehabilitation program. They can give the gift of mobility to a dog that is paralyzed. They can help support a dog with poor balance so they can walk for more than a few steps. And they can be a rehab tool that allows mobility as their pet is recovering the ability to walk.
That’s exactly what Rosie’s cart did for her - provided support and became an exercise tool as she regained the ability to walk again. But the key is, I was able to properly measure and fit her cart for her, so she was able to stand and walk in it. And had the time of her life chasing squirrels in the park!
Back in 2010, in a small town, Rosie’s first family probably didn’t have access to resources that could help them measure and fit a cart, and probably didn’t even know where to look for help.
Imagining the despair Rosie’s Mother must have felt when she realized her last attempt was not going to help her precious Rosie, gave me a pang in my chest. Besides the numerous physical and psychological benefits, a pet can gain from using a cart, I realize a well fitting cart may give a pet and their family so much more. It may give them hope. I know it would have been life changing for Rosie’s family. That experience is the reason I am so passionate about helping people select, measure, and fit the right cart for their pets. I promised to do my best to help everyone in a similar situation feel hope as they navigated their rehab journey.
Some people refer to canine carts as dog wheelchairs. But I prefer to think of them as more analogous to a human using a gait trainer, crutches, or a walker. Depending on the level of your dog’s physical involvement, many times they allow your dog to access as much of their own mobility as possible. In this way carts can be great strengthening tools. They can also allow for an upright position which is so beneficial to multiple systems and can assist with pressure relief, digestion, respiration and more.
Carts can be an assist to the caregiver’s back, as they allow hands off mobility so that your pet can enjoy more freedom with movement while saving your back from holding your pet’s weight in an assistive harness for an extended period of time.
And carts can provide an amazing psychological benefit as they give your pet freedom to go for walks, sniff the grass, and even chase squirrels again!
I can not say enough good things about a properly fitting cart. Read more on our gift of mobility blog post!
Is your pet suffering from mobility issues?
We think of a properly selected and fitted cart, orthotic, prosthetic, splint, stroller, or other piece of equipment as “wearable therapy” and an amazing addition to help your pet in reaching goals and improving their quality of life.
We measure and fit custom carts, harnesses, splints and braces for your pet
Eddie’s wheels, Doggon Wheels and Walkin’
Wheels are some of the popular companies for canine carts. If you are
just purchasing a cart, Hope Chicagoland Pet Rehab can help you select the best
cart and features for your pet as well as provide measurements for ordering the
cart. If your pet already owns a cart, we can also help to ensure
that your cart is fitting as best as possible. Read my blog post on the Gift of Mobility!
Harnesses
Harnesses play a crucial role in aiding dogs with mobility issues by providing support, stability, and comfort. At our facility, we specialize in custom harness fitting, ensuring that each harness is tailored to the specific needs and body shape of the individual pet. Moreover, our team is dedicated to educating pet parents on the proper use of these harnesses, including how to safely lift and support their dogs, as well as incorporating harness-assisted mobility into daily activities. Through personalized fitting and comprehensive training, we empower pet parents to effectively support their furry companions, enabling them to maintain mobility, independence, and a high quality of life despite their challenges.
Braces & Splints
Braces and splints offer crucial support and stability for pets dealing with mobility issues, aiding in the management of conditions such as ligament injuries, joint instability, or arthritis. At our facility, we specialize in custom splinting and brace fitting, ensuring that each device is precisely tailored to the unique anatomy and needs of the individual pet. Our dedicated team not only provides meticulous fitting but also offers comprehensive training for pet parents on how to properly use and maintain these devices. We guide pet parents through the process of adjusting the braces or splints for optimal comfort and support, as well as teach techniques for assisting their pets in adapting to walking with these devices.
Carts
Wheelchairs are invaluable tools for dogs facing mobility issues, providing them with the freedom to move and explore their environment despite physical limitations. At our facility, we specialize in custom cart fitting, ensuring that each wheelchair is tailored to the unique size, shape, and condition of the individual dog. Our team not only fits the carts precisely but also provides comprehensive training for both pet parents and their furry companions. We guide pet parents on how to properly use the wheelchair, including adjustments for optimal comfort and safety, as well as techniques for assisting their dogs in navigating various terrains.
What a pet parent had to say:
We first met Jeanine when our beloved dachshund Hofner became paralyzed due to IVDD. She came highly recommended by the Eddie’s Wheels Dog Wheelchair company. She helped us custom measure Hofner perfectly for his new wheels at our home and she did home laser therapy during the early stages of his paralysis. She became a friend and an invaluable ally during a very difficult time. Jeanine has a depth of knowledge and empathy for families with mobility challenged pets because she also has rear paralyzed fur babies. Her advice and treatment helped make the rest of Hofner’s life happy and as pain free as possible. If you want a compassionate expert to care and treat your mobility challenged babies, Jeanine is the best.
-Hofner's Dad
We help animals with mobility impairments and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) enjoy their favorite activities and routines with you again!
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