Design 21: Social Design Network

A new type of wheelchair for disabled animals

This project was developed with advice from Jackie Woelz at veterinary physical rehabilitation unit of UC Davis.

A wheelchair is the most important tool for mobilizing disabled animals, but the wheelchairs for animals have not been well-developed and there are many people who do not know about or cannot afford these products because the market is limited making the price very expensive. There have not been pet wheelchairs designed with the same ergonomic properties as human wheelchairs.

Wheelie provides an ergonomic structure using memory foam that can support disabled animals and enhance their comfort. By designing fashionable wheelchairs, I hope to eliminate people's prejudice towards disabled animals and prevent their abandonment.

Wheelie increases the mobility and independence of animals and allows their owners to see them as valid companions.

Even though wheelchairs are for disabled animals, animal hospitals don't have wheelchairs. Wheelie wheelchairs could be available for rent and lease in the hospitals so they are affordable.

Design for a new type of animal wheelchair

My mission is to redesign the wheelchairs that are available for disabled animals so that they can walk on their own. There are many products for disabled animals such as prosthetics, splints, etc. However, I realized there are many animals that can’t walk even if using prosthetics and splints. The wheelchair is the most important tool for mobilizing disabled animals, but the wheelchairs for animals have not been developed well. There are many good ergonomic designs for humans, but not for animals. Existing wheelchairs are made of heavy metals and don’t support the animal’s body well. Because most wheelchairs have only two wheels, they give a lot of pressure to the animal’s body and legs. By considering these things, I will design an ergonomic shaped structure using memory foam that can support disabled animals and give comfort. I want to redesign them in a way that really considers the needs of animals with disabilities. By designing fashionable wheelchairs, I want to eliminate people’s prejudice towards disabled animals and prevent disabled animals from being abandoned.