Are you in California and wondering whether a prosthetic or wheelchair could help your Tripawd dog or cat? Now’s your chance to find out, for free!
Engineering students at the University of California at Berkeley are moving quickly and actively looking right now for five amputee pets who may be good candidates for a unique, safety-first prosthetics project.
Led by Tyler Lai, an Applied Math & MechE Research senior at Berkeley, he and other students in the 3D Printing for Prosthetics course are partnering with real-world animal prosthetics innovators to design and fabricate free custom devices for a small group of animals this semester.
What the UC Berkeley Team Is Offering
In collaboration with industry leaders like 3D Pets, the UC Berkeley design team is seeking five California-based Tripawds, ideally in or near the San Francisco Bay Area. Selected participants may receive:
- Custom 3D-printed prosthetics and or wheelchairs for pets with limb loss or limb differences
- A safety-first review process approved by an expert panel of prosthetists, engineers, and healthcare professionals
- A projected delivery timeline of early May 2026
This is a semester-based project with a rapid turnaround. Candidates are being reviewed now.
Is Your Tripawd Dog or Cat a Good Fit? Find Out Today!
Fill Out the No-Cost Pet Prosthetic / Assistive Device Intake Form (UC Berkeley Spring 2026)
It does not matter which limb is missing, or how much residual limb your pet has.
“We could fabricate a lot of different things,” says Lai. “And because we have access to so many engineers, there’s a good amount of possibilities.”
This course is designed to teach students how animal prosthetics work in the real world, from concept through manufacturing.
“I’m going to be teaching some students how to make these prosthetics. Of course, with a bunch of experts coming in (including 3D Pets).”
Why Tripawds Is Supporting The UC Berkeley Pet Prosthetics Project
This is not a casual DIY experiment.
At Tripawds, we firmly believe that no pet prosthetic should ever be designed without expert input. Just because someone owns a 3D printer does not mean they should design a prosthetic for their animal.
We are excited about this UC Berkeley effort because it is a high-level, expert-driven project that prioritizes animal safety and comfort while advancing prosthetics research for both animals and humans.
Lai brings expertise in 3D-printing and additive manufacturing. All prosthetics and assistive devices produced in the course undergo a comprehensive safety and design review by independent volunteers who work professionally as engineers and clinicians at organizations including OrthoDesigns, Oregon Health & Science University, and Northeastern University.
3D Pets Director of Operations Lydia Mindek, herself a Tripawd mom, is also part of the expert panel guiding the students as they develop devices for dogs, cats, and potentially other species.
Fill Out the No-Cost Pet Prosthetic / Assistive Device Intake Form (UC Berkeley Spring 2026)
Why This Matters Beyond Five Animals
Advancing the science of 3D printed prosthetics requires collaboration across scientific disciplines. Collaborations are the key to improving devices for pets and people.
“It’s not just an engineering problem. It’s not just an anatomy and healthcare problem,” explains Lai. “You need a vast understanding of all of them and putting them together to make a successful prosthetic.”
Projects like this help move the science forward for everyone. We can’t wait to see the results!
Act Quickly
This UC Berkeley pet prosthetics project is limited to five amputee animals, and the semester timeline means decisions will be made soon.
If you are a California Tripawd parent or know someone who may be interested, please encourage them to fill out the interest form as soon as possible so the UC Berkeley team can review their case.
Fill Out the No-Cost Pet Prosthetic / Assistive Device Intake Form (UC Berkeley Spring 2026)
Opportunities like this do not come around often, so whatcha waiting for?