Scotty Boy is a blind Scottish terrier. His owner, Dorie Stratton, was concerned over his frustration after watching him bump into one wall after another, crying all the while. She decided to stop watching what was happening and start helping.
Stratton developed a device, known as a halo. With the help of a friend who has an alteration shop, they designed a vest for Scotty Boy, which also included a wire halo.
After wearing the halo, Scotty Boy’s demeanor began to change. Rather than being frustrated over running into walls, he started exploring the world around him.
Now that she saw how it changed her dog, Stratton wanted to see if it could help other blind animals as well. Four years later, her dream is a reality. Halos for Paws is an international business that fits blind dogs with halo vests.
When Dorie Stratton adopted her Scottish terrier, he was blind and frustrated. He had been abandoned in a Walmart parking lot because his previous owner didn’t know how to deal with his problem.
Scotty Boy lost sight because of Sudden Acquired Retinal Syndrome (SARDS), and autoimmune disease that affects dogs of all sizes and types.
Stratton could not watch her little friend’s confusion any longer so she reached out to a friend with an alteration shop and they made a vest to fit Scotty Boy. Complete with the plastic halo.
The halo was his cane, letting him know when he was too close to an object.
After fitting Scotty Boy with the vest, his entire life changed. Rather than being frustrated over running into walls, he became playful and curious again. Scotty Boy returned to exploring his surroundings.
Stratton knew that these vests could help other dogs as well.
Although they didn’t have any initial plans to start a business, that changed when they visited their vet.
“She went crazy for the vest and said these vests are highly in demand for blind dogs and I should start a business selling these vests. I thought about it, and the rest is history.
My partner, Ellen Burgess, and I are now successfully selling Halo Vests to keep blind animals from experiencing pain and suffering.”
These devoted ladies got to work and in 4 years, they built an international business. That business helps blind dogs all around the world.
Since starting the business, Stratton has had the pleasure of interacting with other pet owners who took advantage of this miracle halo.
“There are people out there that have these blind animals and would do anything to help them.”
In their first year of business, she was overwhelmed by the incredible response she received from other pet owners.
“In the first year we were in business, I had to wait until around 9 p.m. to read these e-mails.
They were so beautiful, I would come to bed crying every night”
Each Halo for Paws vest is custom-made. This ensures that the halo helps and does not hinder the animals ability to explore their surroundings.
Since starting in 2012, the project has really taken off. They receive orders from around the world, but some of their biggest customer bases include United States, Canada, Australia and the UK.
Now they are expanding their customer base beyond blind dogs, also outfitting cats and even sheep!
Stratton loves what these halos do and she feels that giving something to these dogs is the greatest gift of all.
Via: Little Things
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