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Custom wheels give Kakaako dog new leash on life

NINA WU / NWU@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cody the Siberian Husky during a walk in Kakaako.

A set of new custom wheels has given canine Cody a new leash on life.

The 9-year-old Siberian husky is unable to use his back legs due to neurological issues and back problems. Initially, owner Carol Ginoza of Kakaako took him out for walks in a stroller but noticed he still seemed sad. Then her veterinarian, Jamie Furutani of the Mililani Mauka Veterinary Clinic, fitted him with a rear-wheel cart from Eddie’s Wheels of Shelburne Falls, Mass. The company designs and manufactures “wheelchairs” for disabled pets.

“There was a huge difference,” Ginoza said. “He’s so much happier in the wheels.”

Furutani, a certified canine rehabilitation therapist, has fitted numerous dogs with the carts. It might take some tweaking and a few days for animals to adjust to the assistive device, but she has seen it do wonders.

“You don’t have to put the dog to sleep because it can’t walk,” Furutani said. “Once they realize they get freedom again, they really enjoy it.”

The specialized carts, priced from about $325 to $600, are attached to the dog via a harness and brace bars, and function like a rolling walker. Thicker tires are available for grass or beach terrains.

Ginoza said Eddie’s Wheels allows Cody to sniff around at ground level and socialize with other dogs he meets on their daily walks.

Front-wheel carts, full-quad carts, designed for quadriplegic dogs and other options are available at eddieswheels.com.

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