Simone Giertz built a custom robotic leg brace for Scraps, her three-legged dog, to explore whether powered assistance could help with walking. The prototype was designed to assist leg extension and soften the return step; the available reporting describes an early maker project, not a proven veterinary treatment or a finished product.
Why Giertz made the brace
Giertz was concerned about Scraps’s mobility as the dog aged. According to Hackster.io’s account by Cameron Coward, she filmed Scraps running in slow motion to study her gait before developing the idea for a powered brace. The design aim was to help extend the leg and cushion its movement back down—not a result established by clinical testing.
How the prototype reportedly worked
Hackster describes the electronics cautiously: the brace appears to have used one brushless DC motor positioned beside the knee. A controller and driver board reportedly allowed Giertz to adjust parameters and receive feedback over Bluetooth on a smartphone. The reported approach included increasing torque gradually as Scraps became accustomed to wearing the device.
The reported power source was a small hobby LiPo battery pack, which could be swapped or charged. The coverage does not identify the motor, controller, battery voltage or capacity, software, or a reproducible bill of materials, so those details cannot be specified reliably.
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#1 Best Overall
- 5 SIZES FOR SNUG, NO-SLIP FIT - Five sizes to choose from. Please refer to the pictures to measure your dog's size before choosing to buy. Common to left and right leg. A precise fit means no sliding down, no rubbing, and support that actually stays put.
- HELPS EASE DISCOMFORT & SWELLING - Spring side stabilizers and elastic compression fabric helps reduce inflammation , reducing pain caused by cruciate ligament injuries, osteoarthritis and kneecap problems. Prevent your dog from licking and chewing. Gentle compression promotes circulation and warmth around the joint, which may help reduce swelling. This support improves muscle elasticity, making it ideal for dog knee braces for back leg discomfort and mobility support.
- SUPPORTS RECOVERY & CONTROLLED MOVEMENT- Helps reduce strain during light activity while allowing natural motion. Ideal for dogs with knee instability, it helps prevent injury from worsening, offering reliable support as dog braces for back leg during rehabilitation.Improves movement and strengthens motor function for an active lifestyle
Fit and early acceptance
A wearable device first had to be something Scraps would tolerate. Coward reports that she disliked most conventional harnesses but accepted one particular brace style, which gave Giertz a starting point for the exoskeleton. The article says Scraps seemed okay with the prototype at the time, while noting that its long-term usefulness was unknown.
What the project does—and does not—show
The project shows a maker-built attempt to explore powered mobility assistance for one dog. It does not establish that the brace improved Scraps’s mobility over time, was clinically validated, or would be appropriate for another animal. The available account also does not provide enough specifications for readers to reproduce the device safely from a parts list.
Rank #2
- Harness Object: The Rear Legs support Harness is designed to help your elderly, disabled, or injured dog, who are unable to navigate the stairs, has a difficult time getting up and down, needs help walking and at any risk of falling
- Lifesaver: The dog carrying harness can pick up the rear end of your fur friend,prevent hip pain and injury caused by aging, support them getting in and out of the car,up and down the steps,help them get up from lying down,stabilize both the gait and spine
- Postoperative Rehabilitation : This Hip lifter is a helpful rehabilitation strap to help your furry pug who are post-op surgery of knee,CCL (ACL),TPLO,hip replacement and so on.They all have some trouble with the their back legs
- Soft Durable : Inside contains synthetic fleece material，the dog mobility harness is very fluffy and comfortable for your dog to wear,won't chafe your pups underbelly. The belly sling carrier outer cove with oxford fabric, it is sturdy for large dog
- Easy to Use:The concept of the portable dog lift support harness is great with the padded handles,so its cushion works great for all dog owners can give your dog a assist lifting with easy.The dog body hoist is washable and easy to carry or storage with drawstring bag when not use it
Giertz’s YouTube listing gives the video the title “I built an exoskeleton for my three-legged dog” and says, “Thanks to KiwiCo for sponsoring this video!” The sponsor disclosure is context about the video, not evidence that KiwiCo products were used to build the brace. A separate post from X, The Moonshot Factory says colleagues helped Giertz prototype a leg brace; it does not detail their technical contributions.
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- 【Stop Licking & Protect Wounds Faster】This long dog front-leg sleeve prevents licking, biting, and irritation—ideal for wounds, hotspots, stitches, and post-surgery recovery. The extended coverage protects healing skin and helps reduce the risk of infection.
- 【Front Leg Brace for Carpal/Wrist Support】Designed for front legs only, this brace offers stability for sprains, arthritis, mild hyperextension, and general inflammation. Its long wrap-around structure supports the entire lower front leg to improve comfort during recovery.
- 【Soft Neoprene Compression for Pain Relief】Made from breathable neoprene diving fabric, the brace provides gentle, flexible compression that helps reduce swelling, soothe joint stiffness, and keep the carpal area warm—supporting faster healing during injury recovery.
- 【Secure Anti-Slip Velcro Straps】Multiple adjustable Velcro straps ensure a snug, non-slip fit that stays in place during walking, resting, or light activity. The brace wraps evenly around the leg without twisting or sliding down.
- 【Easy Sizing – Measure Above the Wrist】For the best fit, simply measure the circumference of your dog’s front leg just above the wrist (carpal joint)—not the paw. This brace fits the left or right front leg and comes in four sizes: S (4.80" top × 3.39" bottom × 5.98" height), M (5.59" × 4.33" × 7.20"), L (6.30" × 4.72" × 8.07"), and XL (7.28" × 5.51" × 9.25"). If your dog is between sizes, choose the larger size for a more comfortable wrap.
Rank #4
- 360° KNEE STABILITY & SUPPORT: The Ortocanis dog knee brace provides balanced compression and stabilization to reduce joint instability and help support knee weakness during daily activity, offering stability for dogs with reduced mobility.
- HELPS EASE DISCOMFORT & SWELLING: Gentle compression promotes circulation and warmth around the joint, which may help reduce swelling. This support improves muscle elasticity, making it ideal for dog knee braces for back leg discomfort and mobility support.
- SUPPORTS RECOVERY & CONTROLLED MOVEMENT: Helps reduce strain during light activity while allowing natural motion. Ideal for dogs with knee instability, it helps prevent injury from worsening, offering reliable support as dog braces for back leg during rehabilitation.
- FLEXIBLE NEOPRENE COMFORT FIT: Made from High Dynamic Resistance neoprene (HDR), this dog knee brace adapts comfortably to the dog’s leg. The orthopedic positioning provides support without restricting flexibility, making it ideal as a leg brace for dogs back leg.
- PRE & POST-SURGERY SUPPORT OPTION: Provides support for dogs recovering from surgery or managing mobility issues, offering a non-surgical alternative when appropriate. The brace helps increase joint temperature and provides elastic support for the back leg.
Rank #3
- 【SAFE DESIGN】Lyderpet dog leg brace front is designed to support and stabilize the dog front legs, carpals and wrists to keep the dog active while preventing dog from licking the wounds, speeding up the healing and easing joint-related conditions such as arthritis in older dogs. It is especially useful for disabled, handicapped senior, arthritic, and injured or recovering pets.
- 【DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE】The dog front leg brace is made of neoprene and nylon lining, soft, elastic and lightweight, which does not rub, pinch, hurt or irritate your dog's foreleg skin and is still breatheable for longer wear and repeated uses.
- 【STRONG SUPPORT】The dog brace front leg comes with two metal spring strips and three Velcro strips, the springs form a splint to provide more compression and support to stabilize for dog legs while the adjustable straps secure the brace in place without moving or sliding down.
- 【EASY TO USE】Our dog splint front leg is as easy to use as placing it around your dog's leg and securing it by wrapping. Remove the dog ankle brace front leg every 2-3 hours and at night to allow the wrist to relax.
- 【SIZE AND FIT】Depending on the breed of the dog, the sizes would vary. Measure and consult the size chart before making a purchase. To get a perfect size is crucial as it will not loosen and stay tight all long to speed the process of healing for the dog.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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