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Like supplies for senior pets, wheelchairs and other products for handicapped pets are a small but growing industry. That's why Mark Robinson, an entrepreneur and pet lover who's based in New Hampshire, in 2001 launched Handicapped Pets.com, which provides wheelchairs and other products for handicapped, older and disabled pets.

Handicapped Pets Get a New Lease on Life with Wheelchairs

Robinson, who's originally from Philadelphia, previously worked for a burglar alarm company, then owned a computer consulting company specializing in renewable energy.

His own experience with his epileptic dog, Mercedes, who was euthanized, was the inspiration for this endeavor.

"Mercedes started snapping at my son when he was born," Robinson said. "The vet said it was canine epilepsy and I should put the dog to sleep. Many years later, I had a really good friend who was diagnosed with epilepsy. It occurred to me that I put my dog to sleep because it could happen again. In doing the research, I was able to find a lot on the Web. If I had the Internet at the time, I would have made a much more informed choice."

So he created Handicapped Pets to provide resources for others with disabled pets, and the company took off.

Pet Wheelchairs that are a Step above the Rest

While there were other pet wheelchairs on the market and a small but growing industry for senior pet products (Robinson, by the way, is friendly with Arnie Costell, who invented the Bottoms Up dog leash for enhanced older pooch mobility), Robinson discovered that many of the chairs had faulty designs.

So he consulted with engineers, veterinarians and other pet medical professionals to determine the best design. The result was the 2008 debut of Walkin' Wheels, which is unique in that it's completely adjustable and fits dogs from 20 to 200 pounds, plus the more recent Walkin' Wheels Mini for Dachshunds and other smaller pets.

The wheelchair has caused such a sensation that it was awarded the Silver Medal during the Retailer Select Awards for Product Excellence at the H.H. Backer 44th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show & Educational Conference in October 2010.

In addition, as of this writing, Handicapped Pets had more than 43,000 fans on Facebook. Handicapped Pets also was featured on the Animal Planet show "Underdog to Wonderdog." So Robinson obviously knows a thing or two about effective promotions.

Pet Wheelchairs take on the World, and Result in a Non-Profit Offshoot

Walkin' Wheels has become such a hot commodity that the company now has major distributors in Japan, England, Germany, Spain and Australia, with others in China and Iran on the horizon as of late 2011.

Like Pennsylvania pet retailer Buzz Miller (whose work Robinson is familiar with), Robinson decided to launch a separate non-profit organization called the Handicapped Pets Foundation to raise money for charitable donations of pet wheelchairs and other supplies to needy handicapped pets, including military dogs.

Meanwhile, an intrepid pooch named Lucy was able to climb Mount Washington in her home state of New Hampshire thanks to her pet wheelchair. So it's obvious that this device enables handicapped pets to lead happier, more active lives.

Other Products for Handicapped Pets

In addition to the wheelchairs, there are a number of other products for handicapped pets now on the market. Robinson's company also deals in:

• Doggie diapers
• Vehicle safety belts for pets
• Splints for pets with injured limbs
• The Drag Bag, a nylon sack that encases a pet's lower body for ease of mobility indoors

Not only do these products enable pets to lead more normal lives, they are also helping to decrease the need for euthanasia.

"No matter what happens in this society, the unconditional love that is shared with a pet is something I think people everywhere are craving," Robinson concurred. "People see pets as family members. There comes a time when it's time for a pet to go. But until that time, we want them with us. As long as a pet is happy, vibrant and alive, it's not their time yet. To put a dog to sleep because their back is sore is not necessary, and surgery is not always an option. As pets are living longer, even with disabilities, these are much-needed products that in many cases may help to keep them with us longer."