Derrick Campana is not your typical veterinarian.
You see, Derrick is a certified prosthetist who began his career by fitting humans (including injured war veterans) with specialized medical prosthetics.
Approximately 12 years ago, he was approached by a veterinarian who had seen his prosthetic work.
The vet is impressed and asks Derrick if he would be willing to make prosthetic legs for a dog.
In an interview with SPE, Derrick recalls how he told the vet quite bluntly, “I can try to help you. But I’ve never worked on a dog before.”
Derrick’s prosthesis is an ultimate success, and he realizes there is a gap in the veterinary market for this type of work. He describes the experience to SPE, saying:
“I built one successfully and said, ‘Hey, there’s a need for this.”
This simple realization sparked Derrick’s creation of Animal Ortho Care, a company that specializes in veterinary orthotics and promises to “give your pet a healthier life with the gift of mobility.”
In 2016, David estimated that he has made about 25,000 prosthetics for animals around the world. He tells SPE:
“We get emails every day on all types of devices, ranging from turtle to deer to pandas. I did elephants in Thailand, a ram in Spain. Goat, sheep, llama. Name it, we’ve probably done it.”
Many of David’s animal patients have suffered tragic injuries, but his prosthetics give them another chance at life.
Angel Marie is a pony who was treated by Derrick. She was injured when her mother stepped on her leg, leaving her unable to walk.
Angel Marie’s owner tells The Telegraph:
“It’s a really great thing. The prosthetics, if it wasn’t for that she wouldn’t have made it.”
Hudson is another of Derrick’s furry patients. Dubbed the”Railroad Puppy” by the New York media, Hudson was discovered on upstate New York train tracks with injuries to every leg and a paw nailed to a railroad tie.
Upon receiving a request from Hudson’s new family, Derrick drove straight from Virginia to New York to fit the pup with a piece. And the result? Well, Hudson took off running.
Derrick tells SPE:
“[Hudson’s owner] was crying, I was tearing up. It’s one of the best moments… When all these things lined up together, and we fit him with new prosthesis… and he just ran away. It all lined up. Perfection”.
Since receiving his prosthesis, Hudson has been working as a therapy dog for people with various health issues, including injured war vets.
According to News 10, he was even named the American Humane Association’s 2015 hero therapy dog. Derrick describes the help Hudson provides, saying:
“When he walks in and sees amputees and war vets like I used to treat, he’s able to give them a sense of relief and show them that, ‘Oh if this dog can overcome this handicap, then I can too.”
Unfortunately, Derrick and Animal Ortho Care treat approximately 200 animals every month. But, with the help of patients like Hudson, they are also raising awareness. Derrick explains to SPE:
“Maybe 20% of the population knows that these options of prosthetics and orthodontic devices exist. If 100% of dog owners knew, then we could treat thousands more dogs and save thousands more dogs’ lives. You don’t have to put them down.”
To see more of David and his inspiring furry patients, check out the video below. You can also keep up with Animal Ortho Care and their adventures via their Instagram and Facebook pages.
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