OKC Pets Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

10 OKC Pets • November/December 2020 “It’s not every day you make a fitting for a lamb or a goose,” Heather Anders, co-owner of Celerity and wife to Andy, says. “It was more of a fitting, and we will have to keep adjusting. The goose fitting went well. But we have to add some more straps to the lamb’s prosthetic.” Making a prosthetic for a farm animal is a bit of a challenge when you’re accustomed to making prosthetics for humans; however, Andy has made prosthetic limbs for 10 or so animals in the past—dogs and even a goat, Heatly, who was featured in OKC Pets Magazine. Still, Heather explains the process involves much trial and error. “[Andy] did a little cast of each of their existing limbs,” Heather says. “With the goose, it’s more of a softer shell that goes inside the prosthetic, like a fiberglass. The outside is harder. If you were to squeeze it, you would be able to move it, like a thick plastic almost. With the goose, we tried to do a foot on it. It was too bulky for him, so we did more of a flatter plastic piece, like a flipper foot, and used Velcro-like straps and strapped it on. The straps just go around the leg. “With the lamb, it’s much longer fiberglass with straps that go around her back to hold it on. We’re going to add another strap to hold it on better. … Heatly was missing [his limb] in a different spot. The lamb is missing it farther up. Everything is different. We’ve done prosthetics for dogs, but now it’s definitely a first for a goose prosthetic.” Heather says the biggest challenge is keeping the prosthetic on the animal, but it’s definitely worth the reward. “There’s not much to attach it to,” Heather says. “Having to do more of a harness that goes around the back is more of a challenge. It’s fun. Andy definitely enjoys the challenge, getting to work with animals and making their lives better. We love working with rescues in that way.” Mobility for both Zuri and Maddie has been a challenge until now and without the help of prostheses would eventually compound their issues in the future. Andy and Jason fit Maddie with her prosthetic. Testing out the prosthetic limb Zuri was shot in the leg. Maddie lost her limb due to a traumatic injury.