March 23 was International Puppy Day, a day dedicated to loving and protecting all dogs worldwide, as well as promoting the adoption of homeless dogs. Despite the growing number of pets in Korea, with three out of every ten people owning a dog, the problem of abandoned pets has become a severe social issue. There is an urgent need for volunteers and donations to shelters.

As a student and volunteer at an abandoned dog shelter, I have been shocked by the number of injured dogs that come through our doors. Many of these dogs have lost limbs, making it difficult to get around. While some prosthetic options are available for dogs, these can be expensive and difficult to obtain, leaving many dogs to struggle without proper support.
Recently, I came across a news story about people making their prosthetic limbs using 3D printing and other engineering techniques. This got me thinking: why not use these same technologies to create prosthetic legs for injured dogs?

There is a real need for this kind of innovation. Many dogs suffer from injuries or conditions that require amputation, and without proper support, they may be unable to walk or play as they once did. By developing custom prosthetic legs for dogs, we could improve their quality of life and help them to regain their independence.

One potential approach to this problem is to combine 3D printing with bioengineering techniques. By creating prosthetic legs that mimic the natural movements and structures of a dog's legs, we could make them more comfortable and practical. Additionally, many university labs are making artificial sensing robots that can be used in robot arms. 

Of course, many challenges would need to be overcome in order to make this vision a reality. For example, we would need to develop new techniques for scanning and modeling a dog's legs, and we would need to ensure that the prosthetic limbs are safe and effective. However, with the rapid pace of innovation in fields like 3D printing and bioengineering, I am confident we can find creative solutions to these challenges.

As an engineering student and dog person, I am excited about the potential for this kind of innovation to make a real difference in the lives of injured dogs. By combining the latest 3D printing and bioengineering techniques, we could create custom prosthetic legs that are comfortable, effective, and affordable. With the right resources and support, we can make this vision a reality and help improve the lives of countless dogs worldwide.

신주호 강남포스트 학생기자  webmaster@ignnews.kr

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