About Us

Our Vision

Our vision at OrthoPets is to improve our patient's quality of life through innovative prosthetic & orthotic solutions.

We have found great success in implementing the same adaptive technologies used in the field of human orthotics and prosthetics to care for our animal patients.

OrthoPets strives to give each patient a second chance to enjoy a normal life. We have found our non-invasive health care options can drastically improve the quality of life for a wide variety of animals.

Partnering with various animal health care professionals and animal lovers alike, we endeavor to provide the best animal orthotic and prosthetic care available.

Our Beginning

OrthoPets was founded by Martin Kaufmann in 2003 after he brought his background in human orthotics and prosthetics into the animal health care industry. When Martin’s cousin’s dog, Walt, suffered from a stroke and lost the ability to use his front leg, he was surprised at the vets recommended amputation. Coming from the human practice, Martin’s first thought was to use an orthotic device to position the limb so that Walt could ambulate normally.

Several versions later it became clear that the animal world would benefit from the integration of orthotics and prosthetics into animal health care practice. Since the beginning, Martin Kaufmann has spent considerable time and resources in order to study, discuss, publish, and develop orthotic and prosthetic solutions with veterinarians and universities alike.

This rewarding challenge became a full time pursuit and the driving force behind OrthoPets. One by one, Martin has helped animals to regain the lifestyle they once enjoyed and allowed others to experience new freedoms with each device he has created. Rooted in the principles of human orthotics and prosthetics and coupled with the latest technology in the field, Martin applies these same concepts to help support a variety of animals. He continues to take on new cases, offering bracing and adaptive solutions to animals world wide.

The Future of V-OP (Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetics)

OrthoPets has made Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions available to veterinarians, animal physical therapists, allied animal health care providers, and patient owners alike. Through these relationships, OrthoPets continues to revolutionize Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions to better meet our patients needs.

OrthoPets is the only full time certified V-OP Veterinary Clinic in the entire world that works on animals full time. OrthoPets has a full time qualified staff of 18 employees, a CCRT (Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist), a C.PED (Certified Pedorthist), and a veterinarian who specializes in pain management and mobility solutions.

Dr. Patrice Mich is a board certified anesthesiologist with advanced training in pain physiology and treatment. She is a certified acupuncturist and canine rehabilitation therapist. She is co-owner and medical director of OrthoPets. She joined OrthoPets in 2009 to create the world's first full-time mobility clinic, uniting veterinary orthotics and prosthetics (V-OP), rehabilitation, and advanced, integrative pain management. She and Martin collaborate in managing over 1500 patients per year through our Denver clinic and our virtual clinic combined (read more about Martin and Patsy here).

Dr Mich and Martin have authored several textbook chapters on V-OP. They both speak nationally and internationally. Recently, Dr Mich co-authored a grant in collaboration with the University of Louisville to study cranial cruciate ligament injury managed with an orthosis (brace). The study has been funded through an AKC ACORN grant.

Martin and Dr. Mich are committed to advancing V-OP, educating veterinarians and owners, and developing new options to revolutionize veterinary medicine and improve quality of life for our animal conditions.

OrthoPets has helped launch OrthoPets Europe, OrthoPets Canada, OrthoPets Australia, and OrthoPets South Africa. It is our hope to continue to offer OrthoPets products and services throughout the entire world!

OrthoPets has published resources specifically for Veterinarians to learn about this exciting field. OrthoPets staff offers a V-OP (Veterinary Orthotics and Prosthetic) Course through Canine Rehabilitation Institute, CRI Inc.

 

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