Tiny Tumbles will soon be able to run and play, thanks to rescuers at Friends of Shelter Dogs in Athens, Ohio, and The Ohio University Innovation Center.
After a shelter volunteer rescued Tumbles at just two weeks old, the good people at the Innovation Center, on recommendation from a local veterinarian, made him a 3D-printed wheelchair to improve his mobility.
Tumbles the terrier mix is now six weeks old. His wheelchair took 14 hours to print, and wraps around his body like a harness. Wheels almost as big as he is give him the ability to move around without his two front legs.
According to Friends of Shelter Dogs, Tumbles isn’t available for adoption quite yet, but is growing quickly and is healthy. He was rescued from a litter outside in the cold, and was being “pushed away by his litter mates.”
Tumbles isn’t the first pet to benefit from 3D-printing technology. Bubbles the dachshund got her new wheels earlier this year, and there are a handful of instructions on how to make your own DIY dog wheelchair for pups of all sizes on Instructables and Makerbot’s Thingiverse website.
Although Tumbles isn’t ready for his forever home yet, Friends of Shelter Dogs (which, like many animal rescue organizations, relies largely on donations) maintains a Facebook page and website where they feature a number of other dogs available for adoption.
H/T ABC 13 | Photo via Crystal Richmond/Facebook