Bionic Pets, Prosthetic Devices for Animals

Summary

Derrick is a passionate innovator who has created a unique niche in veterinary orthopedics, specializing in prosthetics and braces for animals. His journey began with a determination to help animals regain mobility, leading to the founding of Animal Ortho Care. Derrick's work spans various species, from dogs to elephants, overcoming challenges to customize devices that restore their ability to walk. He also dedicates himself to educating veterinarians about alternative therapies, enhancing awareness of animal rehabilitation. Derrick's emotional connection to his work is evident in the joy he experiences when animals regain their mobility and quality of life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker combines their passion for building and helping animals by creating prosthetics and braces.
• 🐾 They highlight the creative and artistic process involved in molding and crafting devices for various animals.
• 🌍 The speaker has helped a diverse range of animals, including elephants and camels, demonstrating the unique challenges of each case.
• 🔍 A significant challenge in their field is working with molds from distant locations without direct interaction with the animals.
• 🐶 They emphasize the importance of educating veterinarians about innovative treatments, such as immediate post-operative prosthetics.
• 💡 The speaker encourages a shift in veterinary practices to avoid unnecessary amputations by using prosthetics when possible.
• 🏆 They share personal milestones, including their first successful fitting of a prosthesis, which sparked the founding of their business.
• 📈 Over the years, the speaker has seen a growing acceptance of orthotics in veterinary medicine, with veterinarians now lecturing about it.
• ❤️ The emotional fulfillment derived from seeing animals regain mobility and joy drives the speaker's commitment to their work.
• 🚀 The speaker encourages others to pursue their passions, reinforcing the message that innovative ideas can make a significant difference.

Q & A

What drives the speaker's passion for creating prosthetics and braces for animals?

The speaker combines their passion for building and helping animals, finding fulfillment in creating custom solutions for various breeds and sizes.

What challenges does the speaker face when working with animals?

One of the biggest challenges is that 80% of the time, the speaker does not see the animal in person, which requires working from molds made by others.

Can you describe a notable project the speaker worked on?

The speaker created a prosthetic for a humpback camel born with ligament issues, showcasing the dramatic improvement in mobility post-treatment.

What unique experience did the speaker have with elephants?

The speaker fitted two Asian elephants with prosthetics after they lost their legs due to land mines, emphasizing the scale and complexity of the task.

How does the speaker educate veterinarians about prosthetics?

The speaker travels to lecture veterinarians about the benefits of prosthetics and immediate post-operative devices, aiming to change traditional surgical practices.

What is an immediate post-operative prosthesis?

It's a device created and fitted immediately after an amputation, allowing the animal to wake up and stand on all fours without downtime.

How did the speaker’s career in animal orthotics begin?

The speaker was inspired to start their business, Animal Ortho Care, after fitting their first dog with a prosthesis, realizing the potential for growth in this field.

What pushback did the speaker face when starting their business?

The speaker encountered skepticism from the veterinary community, as orthotics and prosthetics were not recognized therapies at that time.

What emotional moments does the speaker cherish in their work?

Seeing animals who have been unable to walk regain mobility and joy is incredibly rewarding and motivates the speaker to continue their work.

How does the speaker suggest aspiring professionals pursue their ideas?

The speaker encourages anyone with a passion to go for it and work hard, as they can make a significant difference in their lives and the lives of others.