Alexandria Dog Born Without Front Legs Seeks New Wheels

UPDATE: The fundraiser for Tobi's custom wheelchair has met its goal.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Like many dogs, Tobi tends to snatch food and bark when someone is at the door. The 5-year-old mini-Australian shepherd isn't lacking in the joy he brings to his owners and elementary students, but he is missing two legs.

Tobi, who lives with his owners in Alexandria, was born without front legs and they hope to get new wheels to help him get around. Aside from having no front legs, Tobi is missing two ribs, has compressed organs, and has degenerative disk disease from walking on his back legs.

Tobi's owner Paige Bradford started a GoFundMe fundraiser to cover the cost of a custom-fitted wheelchair. Bradford adopted Tobi, a 5-year-old mini-Australian shepherd, in 2018 from the Humane Society of North Texas.

A cart from Eddie's Wheels was fitted to Tobi through the Humane Society. But because the cart isn't customized to his body, Bradford says the dog needs something to give his body more support and keep him mobile.

Bradford is working with Derrick Campana, who makes pet prosthetics and bracing, to create a wheelchair fitted to Tobi's body. Tobi was cast for the device on Monday, and production can begin once Bradford covers the cost.

The GoFundMe fundraiser for Tobi's wheels will cover the expense of the custom cart, fittings, materials needed to make the cart, and a brace to wear to protect his leg nubs from injury. The wheelchair will also help slow his degenerative disk disease and maintain his mobility.

"Both devices will drastically improve his quality of life and help him to avoid any further deterioration of spinal fluid," Bradford wrote on the fundraiser page.

According to Bradford, Tobi lives a happy life like any other dog. Bradford, an elementary special education teacher at Arlington Public Schools, lets Tobi pay a visit to students during virtual learning. Tobi also serves as an emotional support animal to a member of the household.

New wheels would be a timely gift for Tobi, who celebrates his birthday on Saturday. The goal of the fundraiser is $2,350.

More information about the fundraiser is available on GoFundMe.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.