MOORESVILLE, N.C. — It’s a moment eight months in the making for Mooresville Corgi Boots and his family.

Finally, Boots can keep up, thanks to the engineering students at UNC Charlotte.

What You Need To Know

  • Boots was born without front paws developed

  • Dog wheelchairs are usually designed for adult dogs

  • Boots' mom reached out to students at UNC Charlotte to see what they could get for the puppy

  • The students spent five months designing and testing the puppy wheelchair for Boots

“It’s just such a gift that these students have been able to give to Boots,” said Laura Russell, who owns Boots.

Boots was born without his front paws fully developed.

“We call them his little chicken nuggies,” Russell said. “They get very sore.”

When his breeder realized he would need specialized care, she reached out to Russell, known for her Instagram account @threecrazycorgis. The account documents life taking care of special needs pets.

“They say corgis are like potato chips,” Russell said. “You can’t just have one.”

Even with the challenges Boots faces, Russell says he’s been able to adjust. 

“He was born into this situation, and he just rolls with it,” Russell said. “He does get sore. He does get hurt by the end of the night after a long day of playing with his buddies.”

As a puppy, Boots is too young for a permanent wheelchair. But Russell wanted to find a way for him to keep up with her other corgis. So, she reached out to the engineering department at UNC Charlotte for help. 

“I proposed a project, 'Could you build me a wheelchair suitable for a puppy that could kind of grow with him until he’s an adult and he can get a full sized front wheelchair?'” Russell asked.

And with just one look at Boots’ face, they couldn’t say no. 

“Just seeing their personality change and how excited they are is amazing,” UNC Charlotte student Kayla Rutter said.

It's not only making things a little easier for Boots but saving him from lasting health issues in the process as he rolls through life.

“This is going to be the new normal for him,” Russell said. "We’re just so incredibly grateful.”

Once Boots hits full size, Russell says she plans on getting him a permanent wheelchair.