Over the years we have sold about 20 per cent of our mini sulkies to buyers who have been disabled to some extent. Until recently, the standard line of mini sulkies has been found suitable for both able-bodied and partially disabled drivers. For the more severely disabled, a new seat and peripheral components have been developed.
Late in 2008 my company was contacted by the Make a Wish Foundation in Chicago, Illinois, to make a special canine sulky for a severely disabled boy. Like most disabled people, he liked to get outside regularly with his dog, and the only way this could be accomplished was for his mum to push him in his wheelchair with the dog (labrador) attached to the wheelchair by a leash. With their castoring front wheels, wheelchairs attached to a lively dog are not necessarily the easiest things to handle. His mother searched the internet for a better way and found our web site. The boy thought a canine sulky modified for his needs would be perfect so he "made a wish". His mum contacted the Make a Wish Foundation in Chicago for assistance, and they kindly agreed to fund the purchase of a special sulky to suit the boy's needs. The sulky shipped out on February 4, 2009. This is the vehicle:

It is of predominantly stainless steel tubular construction, weighs only 20 kg, has full independent suspension by Australian-made Ikon hydraulic dampers, a special folding high-back seat, an H-Type Seat Belt, and a Push Bar fitted to a standard City Mini chassis.
The seat and seat belt are mounted to a stainless steel adaptor plate which will fit any of the Regal sulkies.
The dog harness was made by TZLites in Santa Clarita, California and the sulky is attached to the dog via the harness like this:

A Push-Bar (see illustration below) is provided so that the carer may assist the dog by pushing the cart from behind on steep hills, and by enabling convenient additional control at other times.

A rear view showing the attachment of the Push Bar.
The sulky has adjustable balance so that, when it is occupied, some of the dog’s weight is transferred via the shaft to the wheels of the sulky. This reduces the dog’s energetic cost of locomotion, enabling him to pull the sulky more easily for longer periods. The Push Bar is situated above the back of the seat at a convenient height for the carer and in such a position that, should the dog decide to bolt for any reason, the carer’s backward pressure on the Push Bar tends to lift the dog off the ground, reducing his traction and limiting the pull he is able to exert on the sulky and the carer.
The H-Type Seat Belt is adjustable and will accommodate both children and adults.
The independent suspension gives a far smoother ride than anything available from a wheelchair, which may be important for occupants with back injuries, for example.
For further information, including options, pricing, delivery and shipping costs, call R.J. Walsh & Son P/L on (612) 9707 3411, or send an E-mail to jimw@comcen.com.au |