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Entry 991Filed under Breeding

How Simone Giertz Built a Robotic Leg Brace for Her Three-Legged Dog

Simone Giertz built Scraps a custom powered leg brace intended to assist extension and cushion the return step. Its long-term benefit was not established.
2-minute read By Animalso Team
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Simone Giertz built a custom robotic leg brace for Scraps, her three-legged dog, as a prototype intended to help extend the leg and soften its return to the ground. The project was a maker-built experiment—not a proven veterinary treatment or a commercially available device—and the reporting does not establish whether it provided lasting benefit.

Why Giertz made a powered brace for Scraps

Giertz was concerned about Scraps’s mobility as the dog aged. Hackster’s Cameron Coward reports that she filmed Scraps running in slow motion to study her gait, then developed the idea of a powered brace to assist with leg extension and cushion the step back down. Those were the design goals, not evidence of a clinical result. Hackster’s project account describes the motivation and prototype.

How the prototype was reported to work

The available account describes the electronics cautiously: the brace appears to use a single 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. She could increase torque gradually as Scraps got accustomed to wearing it. The reported power source was a small hobby LiPo battery pack that could be swapped or charged.

The coverage does not name the motor, controller, or battery model, nor does it state the battery’s voltage or capacity. It also provides no code or reproducible bill of materials, so the report is not enough to recreate the device reliably.

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#1 Best Overall
Dog Knee Brace for Back Leg,Dogs Leg Brace Hind & Rear Legs Senior Dog(M)
  • 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.
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Fit and early acceptance mattered

Before a powered system could help, Scraps had to tolerate wearing it. Coward reports that Scraps disliked most conventional harnesses but accepted one particular brace style, which gave Giertz a starting point for the design. The article says Scraps seemed okay with the exoskeleton at the time, while noting that its long-term usefulness remained unknown.

X, The Moonshot Factory, also posted that some of its colleagues helped Giertz prototype a leg brace for Scraps. The post corroborates that collaborators were involved, but does not specify what they contributed technically. The Moonshot Factory’s post offers that brief confirmation.

Rank #2
Adjustable Dog Sling for Large Dogs Hind Leg Support Weak Legs Mobility Aid
  • 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
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Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What the project does—and does not—show

  • It shows a custom prototype: the sources describe a device made for Scraps, not a mass-market product.
  • It had a defined mechanical aim: assist with extension and soften the leg’s return step.
  • It is not established as veterinary care: the reporting does not demonstrate clinical benefit, long-term effectiveness, or veterinary validation.
  • It is not a build guide: key specifications and parts are not reported.

Giertz’s YouTube listing, titled “I built an exoskeleton for my three-legged dog,” says the video was published June 29, 2023, and discloses KiwiCo sponsorship. That is context about the video, not evidence about the brace’s performance or a current commercial relationship. The video listing and description contain the title and disclosure.

For a dog with mobility changes, this maker project is not a substitute for an individual assessment by a veterinarian or veterinary rehabilitation professional. A brace or powered device needs to suit the dog’s anatomy, condition, fit, and comfort; the sources do not establish that this prototype is suitable for other dogs.

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Best Value
Long Front Leg Brace for Dogs – Anti-Lick Sleeve & Carpal/Wrist Support for Sprains, Arthritis, Wound Protection & Injury Recovery – Soft Adjustable Compression Wrap for Left or Right Front Leg Large
  • 【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.
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Ortocanis Dog Knee Brace for Hind Leg Support – (Large, Right Leg)
  • 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
Lyderpet Dog Leg Brace Front Wrist or Carpal Support for Canine Dogs, Brace Compression Wraps with Metal Splints, Prevents Ankle Injuries&Sprains, Helps with Loss of Stability Caused by Arthritis
  • 【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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