Dryland Mushing in a Wheelchair

Shepherd Center spinal cord injury peer support liaison Pete Anziano loves adventure. He says: "I've always enjoyed working with dogs. After my spinal cord injury, training a dog to do something for me was an early thought. Dogs always seem to want to pull. So, I thought, 'Why not train the dog to serve me? Why not pulling?' It turned out, with a few basic techniques, my dogs have picked up on the idea naturally. As my confidence in myself and the dogs increased, so did our pace. We filmed a video of my dogs and me early on, posted it and the response was surprising. One response was an invitation to compete in a dryland mushing competition -- something I'd never heard of. This is a short video of the event and the thoughts it brought to me."

[@alexline4131]

Well if dogs can learn to pull sleds and carts why not chairs? Sounds like good bonding and exercise.... how do you stop?

[@kaydisdying2084]

Highly recommend getting a free will, if you plan on being competitive. It'll help save your castors from the terrain!

[@sledding9606]

A Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing 🙂

[@seanmercyhoyt6785]

Thanks for sharing

[@heidiwheel31]

Hello I hope this message finds you will I have a service dog in training one of his task is to pull my wheelchair he pulls the wheelchair from the left side of my wheelchair the trainer is concerned about his shoulders long term pulling this way I am concerned that if we put him out front he will get ran over by the wheelchair I also worry people tripping over his leash if he is out front I have one those 3 way adjustable leashes that I use I also would like him to be to able to reach all sides my wheelchair I also have swing away foot rest and would like to keep there function thanks for your time Sincerely Heidi Kendall