Tommy the donkey, who has been struggling to walk due to a deformed leg, received a remarkable Christmas gift that has completely transformed his life. Thanks to a free prosthetic leg given to him on December 25, Tommy is now thriving and enjoying his newfound mobility.
The prosthetic leg was crafted by Matt Hughes, a prosthetics maker for humans. When Matt learned about Tommy’s condition, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the little donkey and wanted to offer his assistance. Tommy had a congenital deformity in his right front leg, making it increasingly difficult for him to get around.
With his expertise in creating prosthetics for humans, Matt wondered if he could apply the same principles to help Tommy. He explained, “I have been involved with helping a horse before, so I thought given how much smaller a donkey is than a horse, it must be a lot easier.”
After making a cast of Tommy’s leg and designing a customized device, the prosthetic leg was fitted onto Tommy. Much to everyone’s delight, Tommy took to his new leg quite well and now wears it most of the day. The device helps distribute his weight onto the functional leg while realigning his bodyweight, allowing him to move with greater ease and comfort.
Tommy’s owner, Gary, shared that he initially reached out to Dorset Orthopaedic out of curiosity. The experts suspect that Tommy may have been born with the condition which worsened over time. Gary and his family care for multiple animals, ensuring they live happy and fulfilling lives without being overworked.
Tommy had previously been examined at the New Market Veterinary Hospital, but unfortunately, they were unable to provide a solution for his leg. It was through watching a program about Billy Monger, a racing driver who lost his legs, that Gary discovered Matt Hughes’ work and decided to give him a call. Matt visited Tommy, assessed his condition, and came up with a design that now enables the donkey to walk on all fours daily.
Tommy has taken a liking to his prosthetic leg and wears it throughout the day. In fact, he enjoys it so much that he even spins around to prevent anyone from removing it. This newfound mobility has allowed Tommy to rebuild his muscle strength, and while he will require ongoing physiotherapy to continue getting stronger, his progress has been remarkable.
Gary is incredibly grateful to Matt for his generosity and skill. He jokingly mentioned that he has repeatedly asked for an invoice, but Matt refuses to send one. The focus for both Gary and Matt remains on Tommy’s well-being and helping him lead a happy and healthy life.
Tommy’s journey is a heartwarming reminder that with a little innovation and compassion, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our animal friends.
