Disabled dog gets 3D printed front legs
Derby is now able to run alongside his new owners.
A dog is now able to run for the first time thanks to 3D printed custom prosthetics. Derby was born with shortened front legs and no front paws due to a congenital deformity. Until now, he could only move around on soft surfaces.
Derby was fostered by Tara Anderson through the Peace and Paws rescue centre in California. Tara is an employee of 3D Systems, the company that designed Derby's prosthetics. She realised that the company would be able to design and manufacture custom legs for Derby.
Certified orthotist Derrick Campana worked with designers Kevin Atkins and Dave DiPinto to create the prosthetics, which were ready for Derby to try out in just a few hours.
"The beauty of 3D printing is that if the design needs to be adjusted, we don’t have to wait for time-consuming and expensive traditional manufacturing processes, we can simply print out a new set," said Buddy Byrum, vice president at 3DS.
With his new prosthetics, Derby can now run alongside his new owners, Sherri and Dom Portanova.
Dom said: "He runs with Sherri and I every day, at least two to three miles. When I saw him sprinting like that on his new legs it was just amazing."
To watch the video of Derby's journey, visit: http://www.3dsystems.com/derby-dog-running-3d-printed-prosthetics
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
