Sport Motorized Wheelchair Upgrade for Agility

Hi! Looking for support from friends and the agility community to help upgrade Ron’s mobility device to a sportier version that will enable him to take his teamwork competing with Franco in the sport of dog agility to the next level!

Ron and I were in the same agility class about 10 years ago. He would sometimes ask that I run his dog when his leg wasn’t feeling up to it at the end of a trial (CPE or UKI) day. His leg had poor circulation due to diabetes related to agent Orange exposure when in Vietnam in the Marines. He eventually had that leg amputated above the knee and one of his goals during rehab was to get back to agility. Unfortunately, his Giant Schnauzers all passed on before he was able to return to the agility ring.

While I was helping him get to his appointments (there were limited ride service options during COVID) he became friends with my new pup Franco who would hang out with me in the car waiting for Ron at his leg fitting and other appointments. Franco started on his agility journey with me and it was apparent that he finds great joy in running so we decided to start a new journey training him to run with Ron driving his electric scooter. It’s extremely impressive what this young dog has been able to do with Ron when they only get to see each other an hour each week at class. They have become an amazing team bringing joy to each other and everyone who sees their teamwork!

Ron’s current scooter has a very wide turning radius which causes significant limitations in terms of handling. It also has a lever mechanism to engage it to move (which means to go forward he pushes forward with one hand and has to pull back to go forward with the other). Sportier versions have joystick controllers and also have a much tighter turning radius. We’re hoping the community can pull together and help raise enough funds to get this team an upgraded mobility device more appropriate for the sport of dog agility. The money from the fundraiser will be used for a new mobility device (after Ron test drives a few) and any house/car modifications needed to accommodate the new device.

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