It’s well known that Japan faces an aging population crisis. Accordingly, Japan is currently making efforts to fortify society against the ravages of time; designated seating on public transport for the elderly and funding for essential services in areas highly populated by elderly residents being just two examples. These initiatives are a great support for Japan’s human residents, but what about the country’s aging canines?

Just like our bodies slow down and stiffen up as we age, so to do those of dogs. And just like we may require mobility support to stay on the move later in life, so too do graying canines.

Japanese company Pika Corporation is sensitive to this plight of pensioner pups and has developed a wheel-based mobility aid, their patented “Doggy Supporter”, to aid dogs who have a hard time getting around.

The Doggy Supporter: Hot(dog)wheels for your pooch

Pika Corporation designed the Doggy Supporter as a way of helping dogs and their owners to enjoy the normal pleasure of a daily walk. “Walkies”, to use the parlance of dogs, are supposed to be a fundamental part of owning a dog, but when this daily routine becomes difficult due to injury, disability or aging, both master and pet can suffer. The Dog Supporter ensures dog and owner can continue to stay active together regardless of age or other circumstances.

The Doggy Supporter device resembles a zimmer frame with thick wheels attached. The length and width of the main frame are adjustable to suit different sized dogs, or those dogs who gain weight as they age.

Dogs wear the device by having their hind legs inserted into a soft harness at the back. This has been ergonomically designed to ensure comfort for the dog and achieve movement similar to a dog's natural gait.

Also, for dogs whose back legs are paralyzed, the harness can be adjusted so that their legs are elevated and don’t drag on the ground and get injured while on the move. A round of a-paws to Pika Corp whose consultation with a vet when designing the device has resulted in a wheely thoughtful and supportive piece of kit that can make a big difference to the daily lives of our best poochy pals.

Try before you buy offer

After receiving feedback from customers about the difficulty they faced when selecting which Doggy Supporter to purchase on the website, Pika Corporation has launched a try before you buy scheme for the product.

Customers can now sample a Doggy Supporter for 1 or 2 weeks free of charge to check whether the device is suitable for their dog.

The rental service is free of charge in the main, with customers only having to pay the return postage fee for the device after the rental period ends.

Dog owners across Japan can make use of the service by applying for a Doggy Supporter online on the company’s Pets Advance sales page. When applying for the rental, customers need to enter size information of their dog, data which Pika Corp will analyze to ensure they send the ideal sized Doggy Supporter for customers to try.

For readers interested in the Doggy Supporter, check out the product details below:

• Product name: Doggy Supporter
• Service Name: Doggy Supporter rental service
• Service start date: March 1, 2021 (Monday)
• Service period: Up to 2 weeks (including the delivery and return periods to/from customer)
• Cost: Cost of delivery for item return after trial period
• How to apply: Apply directly through Pet’s Advance Home Page (link below)
• Application page: https://petsadvance.jp/contents/77