It wasn't that long ago that Glenn was espousing the benefits of 3D printers. In fact, he was so excited about it that he bought one for the office in Dallas. And while much of the conversation at the time centered around the 3D printing of guns, there are some much more benign (and yes, much cuter) ways the technology is being applied.
Take this story making it's way up Reddit's "Uplifting News" subreddit, about TurboRoo, a chihuahua who was born without its front legs.
After he was born, the breeders knew he would need special care. TurboRoo had a genetic disorder that prevented his front legs from developing, and he wasn't able to get through the other dogs in order to reach the food. He was surrendered to The Downtown Veterinarian in Indianapolis, IN, where the staff quickly rallied around finding a way to give the dog a high quality life.
"A small dog can do well with a cart," said Practice Manager Amy Birk "So, unless he had another medical condition, there was no way we were putting him to sleep."
TurboRoo spent his days at veterinary practice, and his nights at the home of vet technician Ashley Looper. After a few weeks, he was at full strength and ready to start moving.
But how?
Since dogs can't be fitted for carts until they are six months old, the team at The Downtown Veterinarian got creative and assembled a temporary cart out of a ferret harness and a deconstructed Fisher-Price helicopter.
Roo's fist cart. Photo via YouCaring.com
But they needed a long-term solution. The clinic organized a fundraising drive for TurboRoo, which attracted the attention of Mark Deadrick, mechanical engineer and president of 3dyn, "a high-tech specialty fabrication shop".
According to the tech website Gajitz:
Deadrick saw a challenge in the little chihuahua’s situation and decided to design a custom mobility solution for him. He used a 3D rendering program to design a small wheeled cart, then printed it out on a Makerbot 3D printer. He attached some inline skate wheels to the cart and TurboRoo’s new ride was ready to go.
Roo's new high-tech cart. Photo via Twitter
TubroRoo doesn't just have a new set high tech wheels, he also found a new home. Ashley Looper, the technician who was taking him home every night as he built up his strength, adopted the dog. Meanwhile, the money raised in the search of permanent solution for his cart is going towards helping other animals with disabilities.
TurboRoo also has his own Twitter account, which you can follow to get updates on the adorable pup.
Now, isn't that a great example of new technology making the world a better place? Imagine what it can do in your community.