UPDATE 4/17/2013: Exciting News! We are now officially designated! Watch for this special day to be a yearly celebration and observance with it’s official designation in Chase’s Calendar of Events- the most comprehensive and authoritative reference available on special events, holidays, federal and state observances, historic anniversaries and more.
Founded in August 2012 by award winning author and advocate for dogs with Intervertabral Disc Disease (IVDD) and dogs in wheelchairs, Barbara Techel created this day in memory of her beloved Dachshund, Frankie, nationally and internationally known as the ‘Walk ‘N Roll Dog’, and in honor of all wheelchair dogs around the world.
Barbara witnessed first hand from Frankie who became paralyzed after a fall and diagnoses of IVDD, that dogs in wheelchairs can live happy, long, quality lives if given a chance. We should not take pity on pets who may lose their mobility but instead celebrate and embrace their perseverance and adversity. In Frankie’s memory Barbara founded this day to continue to bring positive awareness to all dogs in wheelchairs.
You can help us spread this positive message! Just go to our Facebook page and hit “like” and share with everyone you know. Be a part of our community advocating for dogs in wheelchairs and dogs with special needs. Also, please do share your dog in a wheelchair and their photo on our timeline. We love seeing and hearing your stories! They uplift us and make us smile.
The Frankie Wheelchair Fund
The Frankie Fund began as a memorial after Frankie’s passing on June 21, 2012. The memorial fund received over $2,700 in memorial’s and we were able to help six dogs who may not have otherwise been able to get wheelchairs so they will now live a long, happy quality life.
Because of this outpouring of love we decided to keep the fund going. In August 2012 for the kick off of the first annual celebration of National Walk ‘N Roll Dog Day we offered special limited edition t-shirts for sale with all proceeds benefiting the Frankie Wheelchair Fund. That effort raised $900 and to date we have helped fourteen small dogs (see some of their photos here!). Stay tuned for more fund raisers in the future that will benefit this fund and help more dogs who need wheelchairs.
We also have a contribute button below if you would like to help us in our efforts and make a contribution. Contributions are forwarded to Eddie’s Wheels when a dog is in need of a wheelchair so one can be custom made for them. If you don’t have a paypal account, but wish to make a contribution, checks can me mailed to: 304 Kettleview Court, Elkhart Lake, WI 53020 and made out to The Frankie Wheelchair Fund.
Click on contribute button which will take you to Paypal where you can enter dollar amount you wish to donate from your account or charge card.
Please note, contributions are not tax-deductible as we are not a non-profit but you will receive a grateful letter of thanks.
Before considering a wheelchair for your pet please read the following:
- If your dog has been diagnosed with IVDD have you visited Dodgerslist for advice in caring for your IVDD dog? It is highly recommended that your dog have 6-8 weeks strict crate rest before considering being fitted for a wheelchair.
- Each person requesting money from the fund when funds are available will be asked if they are able to pay something towards the cart. This way we can help more dogs. If you are interested in being considered for this fund, please contact Barbara Techel.
- We ask that you consider donating the wheels you receive from this fund back to Eddie’s Wheels when and if they are no longer needed.
After consideration of above items please feel free to fill out the Frankie Wheelchair Fund.
- Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dogs legacy lives on in this special day created for her as well as The Frankie Fund. Her motto also lives on in the young and young at heart of thousands we met in over 400 appearances we did from 2007-2012, as well as in the children’s book series written about her, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog:
I love you and I loved Frankie you both stand for perserverance to me.
I watched your video and read your story. I cried like a baby!!! Frankie looks just like my Peanut. A couple of years ago my Peanut just stopped walking one day. I went to let him out of his kennel one morning and he wouldn’t get out. When I lifted him up and set him on the floor he wouldn’t walk. I couldn’t figure out what was going on with him. We took him to several vets and they wanted to do surgery which after working with human Physical Therapists and seeing failed back surgery after back surgery I was hesitant. A friend of mine referred me to a vet in a small town near my home and I called him to make an appt. He just spoke with me on the phone and never charged me a dime! His advice made all the difference!!! He was against surgery and said to use conservative measures like keeping him in his kennel on a soft bedding and only out for bathroom. He said to keep him from any activity. During this period of 2-3 months my husband built a cart for him out of PVC pipe after doing some research on wheelchairs online. It was used for letting him go potty outside. I did this for 2-3 months and one day he just starting walking again! He acted as if nothing was ever wrong!! Your story is dear to my heart and I am So Thankful that you are donating your time and the doggy wheelchairs!! God Bless you and Keep Walkn and Rollin \m/ \m/
Thank you so much, Kim for sharing your story!! It’s so important. And you are so lucky to have found a vet who knew that conservative treatment works, because it so often does. An organization dedicated to getting that message out is http://www.dodgerslist.com and I support their efforts. I’m so happy your Peanut walked again… but most of all that you never gave up on him. Bless you!!
Thanks, Kim! It is true that conservative treatment can work! I have a doxie who is already paralyzed, and he had ruptured a second disc in his neck. The emergency clinic wanted to rush him into surgery (to the tune of $6,000). Since I needed a couple of days to come up with the money, I asked them to send me home with something to keep him comfortable. They gave us steroids and pain meds and told me to keep him in a crate. Within 24 hours he was so much better, I decided to take a “wait and see” approach. I kept him crated for 12 weeks–longer than most would have needed, but because of his paralysis he used his neck to thrust himself forward, so I didn’t want him re-injuring himself. At the end of it all, I followed up with his neurologist, and he said that Skippy was fine and surgery was unnecessary. (Woo Hoo! I was gonna have to sell my car for the $6,000!). I firmly believe that ALL DACHSHUND OWNERS should be informed about disc disease, and SHOULD TALK TO THEIR VET about treatment options before there is a problem. I have been involved with dachshund rescue for several years, and I know that there is not a one-size-fits-all treatment for disc disease. Knowledge is power, and could make the difference in your doxie’s life! Keep spreading the word!
Another thing to remember too and it I’m correct in what Dodgerslist shares, after 24 hours chances of surgery working greatly diminish. It is crucial should you choose surgery that it is within a 24-hour period from when the rupture occurred.
Thanks for chiming in, Angela– love that Skippy!!
Kim, that is such a heartwarming story with a happy ending. I have a 14 year old Doxie who had IVDD and had surgery when he was only 2 yrs old. He has never realized that he is paralyzed and leads a happy healthy life with his 3 brothers. He is on his second set of wheels and absolutely loves to spend supervised time in the backyard. At the time of his surgery, conservative treatment was never mentioned by my Vet.
Another great story– thank you, Pat!
We are on our 4th Dachshund and she has had back issues it is so heart breaking to watch but this site has given me such hope I thank God that I found it. She is back to normal now but I am so happy that there is a answer out there if I need one. Thank you for this heart warming story…
I’m so happy you found us also and that it has given you hope! That is what we want to accomplish– is give others hope! Thank you!
Included a pic of Peanut ! http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/599251_3392492581448_257098483_n.jpg
Adorable!!
Thank you !! Here is a picture of him now without his cart!
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/403431_3290091341481_1774429562_n.jpg
He is very, very cute!
I appreciate all you do. I also rescue stray dogs & cats. I want to know if they make the roller wheels for cats?
Thank you for your response.
Hi Sharon, Yes, they do make wheelchairs for cats. Cats can be a bit trickier to train to use them, but it has been done. http://www.eddieswheels.com can help you with more information on this.
I was sent this link by a friend of mine. My dog ruptured 2 discs on September 2, 2012. She was completely paralyzed and could not control her urination. The outcome without surgery look pretty bleak. I xould not afford surgery so that was not an option. I found a vet in Northern California that does a disc injection that disolves the disc material. The day I picked my dog up, 2 days after the procudure she was bearing weight on her hind legs! She may always have rear leg weakness however I am overjoyed that she can walk. I had never known this was so common before my dog got hurt. Now I know from first hand experience how devasting this is!!
I’m glad ot hear your little one is doing much better. A great resource to check out is http://www.dodgerslist.com They have so much good information on IVDD.
Hi,
I was wondering how one came to apply for the Frankie’s Wheelchair fund? Our Pom got injured by a foster dog that we had (was doing privately for a friend) and we are currently in the process of raising funds for everything, we have raised enough to get one of his legs amputated and still raising money to be able to get the 2nd leg done, some of the home care supplies we will need and the cart. If you want more information please go to his FB page.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!!
Jo
Hi Jo, Right now, I’m sorry to say our funds are depleted, but we have some upcoming fundraisers. It sounds like it may be some time yet before the pom needs a wheelchair, so please feel free to contact us closer to the date that he needs one. You can also check with http://www.eddieswheels.com as they often times have used wheelchairs for sale. I hope this helps.
I have a wheelchair that was bought for my 14 year old doxie. Unfortunately, it arrived the day after she passed. It is brand new. She was 14 pounds. Please. If you know someone who needs this let me know. Karyl Cohen
Karyl, I would contact http://www.eddieswheels.com as they will arrange shipping to them and then give to a dog in need when they have one. I’m so sorry also for the passing of your doxie.
Hello…I first would like to say how wonderful this website and the Dodgerslist site are. Both are extremely helpful. I just found out today that my mini Dachshund, Daisy, who is almost 11 years old, has IVDD. I took her to the vet because she started yelping in pain, limping, and not wanting to move yesterday morning. I was worried that it might be IVDD, but was hoping that she may have just sprained her ankle or pulled a muscle…anything but the dreaded disc disease. Thankfully though, I may have caught it early enough where crate/conservative treatment might be enough. But I’m still very upset and crying like a baby because…well, she is my baby! She’s my first pet, my first dog, and I love her so much. I’ve got another mini Dachshund, Riley, who is 4. He’s been very upset lately because he knows something is wrong and now he won’t be able to play with her. Thank you for doing such a great job supporting each other and sharing your stories. It’s heartwarming to see all the love out there. I know that I will be utilizing the resources in the weeks and months to come. God bless you all and your sweet doxies.
Heather, I understand how hard it is when this first happens. It can feel very scary and overwhelming. But I’m so happy your found Dodgerslist! They will give you peace of mind and guide you. Conservative treatment is the BEST thing you can be doing for her right now- bravo! And yes, please feel free to reach out to me and everyone on Dodgerslist with any questions or concerns. We love helping and giving hope. Hugs to Daisy! -Barbara