WASECA, MN (June 23, 2020) – Opie the hedgehog has struggled with mobility issues since birth. Born unable to move his back legs, the only way Opie could get around was by scooting on his belly and dragging his back legs behind him. Seeing his determination, Opie’s mom wanted to do everything she could to help Opie walk on his own. After hopping online to do some research she came across Walkin’ Pets, a company who specializes in pet mobility. She reached out to see if they could help.
Always up for a challenge, the Walkin’ Pets team knew they had to help. Weighing under a pound Opie is a fraction of the size of most of the animals using a Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair. The team knew Opie’s wheelchair would need to be tiny, in fact Opie’s one-of-a-kind hedgehog wheelchair is the smallest wheelchair the company has ever built! Designed to be as lightweight as possible, the wheelchair frame to 3D printed which allowed the Walkin’ Pets team to reduce the wheelchair weight by nearly 60%. Since Opie is still a baby, his Walkin’ Wheels wheelchair is designed to adjust with him as he grows and features easy to maneuver roller ball wheels that allow Opie to steer in any direction.
Opie’s not alone, hedgehog mobility loss is not uncommon. Although Opie’s mobility problems likely occurred in utero, it more commonly stems from a condition known as Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome. Opie and his mom hope that by sharing his story, they will be able to help other mobility challenged hedgehogs.
For more information, please contact:
Marketing & Public Relations
(888) 253-0777