Chet the hiking boxer – Success story

Amanda Zimmer, from Athol, ID, and her four-legged travel buddy, Chet, love to hike and explore the outdoors. But in February, their adventures came to a halt when six-year-old Chet tore his ACL. Amanda scheduled surgery, but it failed.

“The next option was another $4,100 surgery that would increase his chance of bone cancer by forty percent. Boxers are already at substantial risk for it,” Amanda explained.

Chet, unable to run or play, became depressed. Amanda knew she had to find another way. That’s when she discovered Specialized Pet Solutions in the Palouse region of eastern Washington.

Owner Angela Boncz fitted Chet with a dog knee brace in April. At first, Chet wasn’t thrilled—Amanda admits he’s a bit dramatic—but after a two-week break-in period, everything changed.

“At two weeks, we were off and running,” Amanda said. “I told Specialized Pet Solutions, ‘You have given me back my dog. I am so impressed with this brace!’”

Just last weekend, Amanda and Chet climbed to 7,200 feet. “He climbs with that brace on, just perfectly fine,” she said. “There’s no soreness the next day.”

Unfortunately, Chet’s first injury increased his risk for a second ACL tear—and that’s exactly what happened. But this time, Amanda knew what to do. Chet was fitted for a second dog knee brace, and now he’s back to hiking and running with two braces in place.

“He took to the second brace a lot faster,” Amanda said. “He knew it was helping him live his best life.”