Description:

The WoolStride dog leg brace is designed to provide support and comfort to dogs recovering from injuries or managing joint issues surrounding the cruciate ligament of their back legs. Designed and made using New Zealand strong and merino wool, the brace harnesses the natural benefits of wool for therapeutic support. The usage of New Zealand wool in the design offers softness, durability and breathability, while ensuring a snug, yet comfortable fit that allows for natural movement while promoting healing.

The brace itself features a three layered design: a concealed inside layer of felted strong wool that provides the brace with its form, thickness, comfort and warmth, an outer layer of strong wool gabardine fabric, which provides outer support to the brace and finally a New Zealand merino wool inner, that softens the contact point between the dog’s leg and the surface of the brace, creating a soft and comfortable fit. The wool’s natural moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic properties help keep the dog’s leg dry and free from irritation, while its temperature regulating qualities provide warmth to soothe stiff or sore joints without overheating or creating discomfort.

WoolStride’s ergonomic design ensures a secure fit around the leg, with adjustable straps to accommodate different leg sizes and shapes, making it suitable for a range of breeds and for smaller or larger dogs, the brace would be offered in a range of sizes to ensure the correct fit for any specific dog. The adjustment straps and body strap utilise wool webbing to achieve the required tensile strength to ensure the brace can be compressed and so that the body strap can be adequately tightened to position the brace. Along with this the design features a simple aluminium buckle used to tighten the body strap and velcro pads as a means of easily securing the adjustment straps.

WoolStride aims to contribute to the advancement of dog healthcare by harnessing the natural properties of New Zealand wool, offering benefits like breathability, temperature regulation and comfort, setting it apart from synthetic alternatives. These features help support healing processes, particularly for issues like cruciate ligament injuries. By integrating wool into pet healthcare products, WoolStride not only improves the well-being of dogs but also strengthens the New Zealand wool industry. The use of wool in this context showcases its potential as a sustainable and effective material in animal care, while promoting the value of locally sourced, natural materials such as wool.

The materials, ergonomics and overall design of WoolStride have been developed thoroughly through an iterative design and testing process that has led to this final design. The brace offers dogs a blend of comfort, support and freedom of movement, ensuring a better quality of life during recovery or daily use.