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Dog born with deformity given 3D-printed legs

Derby is now very active
By Rick Couri
Dec 18, 2014

When a husky mix named Derby was born with deformed front paws, his owners leaned toward having him euthanized.

BuzzFeed reports Peace and Paws Dog Rescue made sure that didn't happen when they took Derby in.

Then Tara Anderson from 3D Systems adopted the puppy as a foster pet. Shortly afterward, she decided to used her company’s 3D printer to make legs for Derby.

"It was incredible and emotional the first time we saw him run on his new legs," new owner Sherry Portanova told The Dodo. "Incredible because it was his very first time on them and emotional because he was so excited to be running."

Looking like a set of springs, the "legs" are similar to the prosthetics used by Olympic runner Oscar Pistorius.

Now Sherry has a hard time keeping up with Derby. "He has always been the happiest dog I know," she beamed.

More here.

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Rick Couri

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