Meet Claire - A poor puppy who has had a rough start to life, but things are starting to look up thanks to "Angels of Fur" and Oriskany Central Schools, where students are building Claire a wheelchair.

Claire is a 4-month-old havanese puppy who was taken from an Amish puppy mill and brought to "Angels of Fur," a non-profit dog rescue in Rome. Claire was not only fighting starvation, weighing only 2.8 pounds, but she also has major leg problems- Her legs are rotated at the hips at 90-degrees, they're out of socket, and she is peg legged.

Melissa Jones at "Angels of Fur" has been looking into getting a wheelchair for Claire to help her get around. Unfortunately, Claire is so small and still growing, one wheelchair won't work. She'll need three different chairs.

Oriskany Central Schools' technology teacher Chris Lallier and his students have offered to design and build a wheelchair using the school's 3D printer. "They were able to test some of the prototypes with Claire, find flaws, and quickly correct them," says Lallier

Students Testing Out the 'Claire Chair'
Photo Credit: Chris Lallier - Oriskany Central Schools' Technology Teacher
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Claire Testing Out the 'Claire Chair'
Photo Credit: Chris Lallier - Oriskany Central Schools' Technology Teacher
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Students will work through the process to the best design.  "They well be tasked with 3D printing a more permanent wheelchair," explains Lallier.

Computer Concept of 'Claire Chair'
Photo Credit: Christopher Lallier (Oriskany Central Schools' Technology Teacher)
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Claire will also be heading to Upstate Veterinary Specialties in Latham for more X-rays, a final diagnosis and plans for treatment. A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help pay for hospital bills, specialists and  X-rays.


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