Let us introduce you to Derrick Campana, a remarkable individual who has transformed the lives of nearly 35,000 animals, ranging from dogs and goats to cows, camels, raccoons, and even elephants. His expertise in creating prosthetic human arms and legs has enabled these animals with limited mobility to walk again.
Meet the man who helped thousands of animals regain their mobility.
Derrick is the founder of Bionic Pets, an organization dedicated to developing artificial limbs that restore walking abilities to disabled animals. He firmly believes that just like humans, all animals deserve the chance to walk and live fulfilling lives. Consequently, he strives to make all available technologies accessible to them.
Eighteen years ago, Derrick embarked on his journey in prosthetic animal limbs when a woman approached his workshop seeking a prosthetic for her Labrador named Charles. Although he had never created artificial limbs for dogs before, he didn’t turn her away. Within a week, he successfully crafted a new paw for Charles that fit perfectly.
Encouraged by this early success, Derrick delved deeper into the realm of animal prosthetics. He collaborated with veterinarians across the country to expand his knowledge and eventually established his own company, Bionic Pets.
Creating prosthetic limbs for certain animals proved to be challenging, often requiring multiple iterations. However, Derrick’s determination to become an exceptional specialist in this field never wavered, and he ultimately succeeded.
Today, Bionic Pets operates smoothly, offering high-quality prostheses and braces that are accessible even to low-income individuals seeking to improve their pets’ lives.
Derrick’s clients include a diverse range of animals, including remarkable cases like an elephant from Thailand. Similar to humans, animals require time to adjust to their new limbs, which is why Derrick advises owners to be patient, as the miraculous transformation may not occur instantaneously.
“As animals become accustomed to the prosthesis, the true miracle happens,” Derrick affirms.
Currently, Derrick is actively working on establishing an accreditation body for animal prosthetics. He recognizes the need for industry standards to ensure the safe development and use of artificial limbs, as many people attempt to create their prostheses without proper guidelines, potentially causing harm to the animals.
Meet the man who has dedicated his life to helping thousands of animals regain their ability to walk, providing them with newfound hope and freedom.