Miracle’s Mission, an animal welfare charity, is on a mission to establish the UK’s first center for disabled animals, aiming to provide them with rehabilitation and eventually find them forever homes. Founder Victoria Bryceson believes that many disabled dogs in the UK are euthanized unnecessarily, as they could lead fulfilling lives with the appropriate physical therapy and prosthetics. While amputation of one leg is common practice among vets, Bryceson argues that dogs can still be active and happy with three legs, particularly if it’s a hind leg. However, she notes that most vets in the UK are hesitant to perform a double amputation, leaving the dog with only two legs, fearing it would compromise their quality of life.
Many people may not realize that dogs with wheels and prosthetics can lead a fulfilling life just like fully able-bodied dogs. Ella, for example, was found paralyzed from the waist down after being thrown off a building in Egypt. Miracles’ Mission brought her to the UK, giving her a second chance at life. A special wheelchair was created for her to move around, and soon Ella was running around with other dogs, living life to the fullest. Victoria aims to spread awareness that disabled dogs can also live happily if given a chance.
I received numerous inquiries when out with a double amputee dog, curious about her wheels as they had never seen such before. Specialized hospitals seem more receptive to such devices, having more experience in this area. However, they also face challenges, as many owners struggle to accept the idea of a two-legged dog. There is a significant need for education in this field among the public, dog owners, and veterinarians.
General practice vets who have witnessed my journey with double amputee dogs have undergone a significant education on disabled animals, realizing the potential and possibilities. They are now more open to using wheels and prosthetics. Dogs equipped with such devices can lead a life as fulfilling as a fully able-bodied dog, which is the message I aim to convey to people. I have been stopped countless times with my double amputee dog, prompting inquiries about her wheels as people were unaware of such options. They shared stories of their dogs facing deterioration in their hind legs, initially believing euthanasia was the only solution, but now considering wheels as a viable alternative.
The new center is set to offer specialized care for the most vulnerable dogs and cats. Animals in their care will undergo thorough veterinary assessments, MRIs, surgeries, prosthetics fitting, and the provision of doggy wheels. A personalized rehabilitation plan will include physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, daily massages, and TENS machine stimulation.
According to Victoria, “The animals coming into our care will initially all be stray dogs with nowhere else to go and no one else to help them. They may have been born with a condition, such as a bent leg that they can’t walk on, or they may have been in an accident – like being hit by a car or abused.”
Once the patients have been emotionally and physically rehabilitated as much as possible, Miracle’s Mission steps in to find them forever homes. There is already a waiting list of disabled dogs, but Victoria cannot accept them until she can finance the center.
Victoria explains, “We will provide a complete rehabilitation program from assessment to surgery to rehabilitation, recovery, and rehoming. This is why education is so important, so that people become open to adopting disabled dogs. If we don’t rehome the dogs, the center will be full on day one, and then we won’t be able to help any more. It is desperately needed that the dogs find new homes.”
Currently, Victoria is crowdfunding to raise £20,000 to secure a deposit for the center, which, if secured, will be built in Yorkshire in 2020.
You have the option to contribute to Victoria’s fundraiser through donations on this platform. If you are interested in hosting a fundraising event for them, please contact us at [email protected]. The images were captured by Andrew Price.
