The Pioneers of the Animal Orthotics and Prosthetics Industry

The Pioneers of the Animal Orthotics and Prosthetics Industry

The History of Animal Orthotics & Prosthetics

From Ancient Humans to Modern Pets

The first known human prosthetic dates back to around 300 BC in the Roman Empire. Over the past 2,300 years, medical advancements have transformed prosthetics into life-changing tools for people. In contrast, the field of animal orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) is still very young—only about 30 years old.

The first notable animal prosthetic was created in 1985 by Dr. Barrie Grant, a DVM and instructor at Washington State University. He built a custom device for a prized stallion. A decade later, in 1995, Ronnie Graves—an amputee and owner of Prosthetics Research Specialists Inc.—built the first known horse orthotic for a neighbor’s injured mare. That brace helped heal her damaged ligaments and tendons, and it marked the beginning of Veterinary Inclusive Prosthetics (VIP), the first animal O&P company in the U.S.

The Growth of a New Industry

Over the past three decades, animal O&P has slowly gained traction. Today, only a handful of companies worldwide specialize in this niche—and most are based in the U.S.

Some of the early pioneers include:

  • VIP (1996)
  • OrthoPets (2003)
  • Animal OrthoCare (2004)
  • Extremity C. Fab, which became Specialized Pet Solutions in 2007

Many of these founders started by building animal devices on the side while working in human O&P. That includes Angela Boncz, founder of Specialized Pet Solutions. She built her first dog knee brace in 2004 for a rescue dog and continued helping friends and neighbors. Like Ronnie, she turned her passion into a profession. Angela even met Ronnie at a conference and credits him as a major influence.

Innovation Through Compassion

Angela’s work has led to unique breakthroughs—like her custom dog knee brace that cushions the Achilles tendon, the only one of its kind. In 2007, she began building equine prosthetics after adopting a three-legged pony named Prince. Prince became both her inspiration and her case study.

Thanks to innovators like Angela and Ronnie, animal prosthetics have helped many famous animals, including Winter the Dolphin, who inspired the film Dolphin Tale after thriving with a prosthetic tail. Even elephants have received prosthetics and gone on to live full, healthy lives.

Looking Ahead

Animal orthotics and prosthetics continue to grow as technology advances. From 3D printing to smart materials, the future is bright for this compassionate field. Sanctuaries also play a vital role by caring for disabled animals and investing in life-changing devices.

At Specialized Pet Solutions, we’re proud to support this mission. We thank the incredible people running animal sanctuaries who give these special animals a second chance.