Prosthetics for Penguin--A Mobility Journey

Meet Penguin. He is a very sweet 5-month-old rescue who was born with a severe case of angular limb deformity on both front legs. One has been amputated and the other has very limited mobility. As you can imagine, this makes getting around very difficult.

What started as a foster situation ended up with Jeff and Brandi Molin adopting him permanently, and a mutual friend connected us to come up with a solution to help Penguin move without injury to his neck and build hind leg strength in hopes he can learn to walk on his hind legs.

As for me, my name is Jared Crowley and I am a maker and animal lover with 2 dogs of my own. Coincidentally, I also have design and 3D printing experience, which prompted a mutual contact of Brandi, Jeff, and myself to throw my name out there.

After collaboration with the Northern Colorado Chapter of E-Nable, a 3D printed prosthetic network of volunteers, we have determined the best course of support for Penguin is a custom adjustable front cart to aid his mobility and eventually a custom-fitted prosthetic limb when he is closer to fully grown. This will require materials to scan, model, and mold Penguin’s torso as he grows, as well as various materials that will be needed in the prototype and design phase. Initially, we have a goal to raise $750, which we estimate to cover materials for his cart. Anything beyond that will go towards budget overrun (if any) and be set aside for future design of a lightweight limb at a later time.

We greatly appreciate your consideration to donate and share this project so Penguin can get the mobility he deserves!