Dog Prosthetic Gives New Life to Man’s Best Friend

Riley’s Journey: From Tragedy to Triumph with Specialized Pet Solutions

If dogs could talk, Riley—the spirited Alaskan Klee Kai—would have quite the story to tell. Thanks to Angela Boncz, founder of Specialized Pet Solutions, Riley’s tale has a heartwarming ending.

It all began during a family vacation in Lake Placid nearly seven years ago. What should have been a relaxing getaway ended in heartbreak when Riley suffered a broken leg. A local veterinarian placed her leg in a cast and advised her owner, Evelyn Treacy, to remove it in six weeks. But Evelyn noticed something wasn’t right—Riley was walking awkwardly. Despite her concerns, the vet reassured her that everything was fine.

It wasn’t.

Just days later, Riley stopped eating. Alarmed, Evelyn rushed her to their family veterinarian. What she heard next was unimaginable.

“They said, ‘We have to amputate your dog’s leg.’ And I remember saying, ‘Oh no, you must be thinking of someone else. I brought in a dog who’s not eating,’” Evelyn recalled. “The vet told me they removed the cast and discovered it had been wrapped too tightly—gangrene had set in.”

The news was devastating. But Evelyn wasn’t ready to give up. She convinced the vet to amputate Riley’s leg at what would be considered her wrist, hoping to preserve as much mobility as possible.

That’s when the real journey began.

“I went online to search for prosthetics,” Evelyn said. “You can find them for people easily, but I couldn’t find anything for animals.”

Eventually, she discovered Angela Boncz. Desperate for help, Evelyn flew with Riley to meet her in person.

“Angela measured her, made a cast, and just a few days later, Riley was walking again,” Evelyn said.

That moment marked the beginning of a remarkable seven-year partnership. Together, Evelyn and Angela customized prosthetics and developed solutions to ensure Riley’s comfort and mobility. Evelyn even launched an Instagram page, @HenryMatilda, to share Riley’s journey and celebrate life with her other dogs.

“They all have their quirks,” Evelyn shared. “There’s no agenda on my page. I’m not there to make money. I just want to show people that life can be joyful after an amputation. When everything seems dark and all hope feels lost—there is always tomorrow.”

We are honored to be part of Riley’s story and inspired by Evelyn’s unwavering love and determination.

Thank you, Evelyn and Riley. We’re proud to walk this journey with you.

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