Outdoor Ball Launcher for Dogs
The first thing you notice when you meet Bill is not his wheelchair or his disability, but rather his infectious smile and great sense of humour. After a mountain biking accident, Bill lost the ability to walk and has limited hand movement.
Bill heard about CanAssist through his occupational therapist, and asked us to create a device that would let him play fetch with his dog, Dexter. The Outdoor Ball Launcher for Dogs, originally created for Bill, has since become one of CanAssist's most requested inventions.
"We tried out a few different designs before choosing one that relies totally on compressed air," recalls CanAssist's Hardware Manager, Darcy Lane.
The ball launcher, which holds a canister of compressed carbon dioxide, attaches easily to Bill's wheelchair with a bracket. When Bill pushes a valve on the device, the pressurized CO2 travels from the canister into a reservoir. The air in the reservoir continues to build up until the desired pressure has been reached, as indicated on a gauge. When Bill is ready, he pushes another valve, which releases the air out a chute and the ball - which has already been placed in the chute with a plunger - soars through the sky with an excited Dexter chasing after it.
"Bill can decide whether he wants a short shot or a long shot. He can load it anywhere from zero to 90 psi," says Darcy, referring to pounds per square inch of pressure. "Using the greatest pressure, the ball can travel up to about 100 meters."
Once Bill has launched the ball, Dexter retrieves it and then dutifully drops it in his master's lap, hoping for it to be launched again.
CanAssist also delivered a ball launcher to a little girl in Vancouver who has very limited movement. But because this launcher was designed for indoor use, it didn't require the power of compressed air. In this case, our engineers simply purchased a commercial device with a spring-activated lever. An electric motor winds up the lever and shoots the ball across the room. This device was adapted so the little girl would be able to eject the ball by pushing a very large button, sending her dog, Austin, scurrying across the kitchen floor after it.
Since the development of the original Outdoor Ball Launcher for Dogs, CanAssist has made some improvements to its design. Our latest version still uses compressed air, but is much more compact and can be used on many different wheelchairs. As well, it is easier to fire and can be adjusted to shoot at different angles.
Around the time that the original launcher was delivered, two other devices were designed for Bill. One is a special latch that allows Bill to more easily attach Dexter's leash and dog collar. The other is a non-slip transfer board that enables him to move from his wheelchair to the driver seat of his van.
Bill says CanAssist has helped improve his quality of life and that he - as well as Dexter - appreciate the work we do.
The Outdoor Ball Launcher for Dogs has undergone a number of modifications since it was first delivered to Bill in 2008. Check out our story on the updated version of this device, which is being used by a number of clients, including Kieron, shown right.