Every pet owner dreads the day when their 4-legged friend begins to show the signs of slowing down. Dogs in particular are apt to suffer from hip dysplasia, a condition associated with a steady debilitating trajectory toward immobility, affecting various breeds large and small. Fortunately for the modern canine there are dog-loving designers looking to keep senior dogs happy and moving. Steady is a seatbelt-inspired walking aid for elderly dogs designed to add safe and secure support, while also tracking their movements via digital app.
The study of motion regarding the body and limbs, or kinematics, was integral in developing a walking support accessory that aids natural dog movement. The single contact point under the animal’s stomach provides just enough support to allow for walking freely with the owner always safely behind. A brake mechanism also allows the pet owner to stop movement when needed.
Developed by designers Chaewon Lee and Jungmin Park, with the veterinarian expertise of Antonio Pozzi and Dr. Brian Park at the University of Zurich, the team looked beyond existing geriatric mobility solutions like wheel carts and wheelchairs, which have a tendency to tip over easily, for something unencumbered. Instead, Steady is designed around an adjustable height support system and magnetic cloth harness engineered to provide constant and comfortable support.
Hongik University’s Seungha Baek lent additional help in designing the fabric support harness. The strap operates similarly to seat belts in automobiles. With normal steady motion, the harness permits uninhibited movement allowing the dog to pull forward, but if sudden disturbance is registered, the strap tightens.
To keep tabs on an aging dog’s mobility, Steady also incorporates the aid of an app to analyze and track total distance traveled. What differentiates Steady’s technology compared to something like Tractive is the app’s ability to record the percentage of how much the dog is using its front limbs versus all four legs. The data gathered can be used to inform a veterinarian about whether any walking-related issues have improved or worsened over time.
They say an old dog can’t learn new tricks, but we’d argue that the adage seems a lot less true today with the aid of technology like Steady to help your beloved pet companion stay healthier and happier – longer.
