Summertime Pet Nursing Series Part 1: Extensive Guide to Mobility Tools and Assistive Devices for Bucket List Days

Summertime Pet Nursing Series Part 1:
Extensive Guide to Mobility Tools and Assistive Devices for Bucket List Days
By Michelle Nichols, MS, HonCAHP | Animal Hospice Coach, Educator, Mentor, and AHELP Founder
- With -
Tina Ellenbogen, DVM, CAHP | Animal Hospice Veterinarian, Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner, and AHELP Co-founder

Elevating our Summertime Spirits

Warm weather brings the invitation to move, to experience, and to savor the little things – a breeze through the fur, getting out to the wilderness, or the scent of ocean air. For our geriatric and mobility-challenged pets, these experiences are not just nice-to-haves; they’re essential moments of joy and awe for pets and their parents. As caregivers and animal hospice professionals, we’re in a unique position to take advantage of these moments safely, elevating our spirits and enabling us to continue giving our best to the dogs and cats in our care.

Take Maple, the senior Welsh Corgi mix, who completed her bucket list with a camping trip to the North Cascade Mountains in Washington. Despite her orthopedic and neurological limitations, Maple’s family made it happen with a blend of planning, love, and the right assistive devices. This summer, we want more pets to have their "Maple Moment."

In the first installment of our Pet Nursing Series, we guide you to explore mobility aids and assistive devices designed to help pets get up, get out, and make the most of the sunny summertime. Watch for next month’s, the second of our series, to ease your mind about concerns over comfortable bedding and hygiene matters that can arise with decreasing mobility.

Photo caption: (Left) Marta and beloved dog Maple: BFFs on their bucket list trip and (right) Maple adventuring to their campsite.

Why Mobility Tools Matter

Mobility challenges are often the first and most persistent nursing care concern in caring for hospice and geriatric patients. While causes vary — arthritis, back injuries, hip dysplasia, cognitive dysfunction, aka “doggy dementia”, or just “a senior slowing down” — the approach to care should remain focused on function, dignity, and safety.

Impaired mobility impacts every aspect of care:

• Toileting and incontinence management
• Hygiene and grooming
• Feeding and hydration
• Emotional well-being and environmental enrichment

As mobility declines, risks increase — falls, pressure sores, anxiety, and isolation. However, with the right tools, pets can remain active participants in their families' lives, even as they approach the end of their own lives.

Harnesses: Your Pet’s Security and a Safety Belt

Think of harnesses as their adventure belt – essential for lifting, balancing, and gently guiding dogs. It is easier to help them around instead of tugging on their leash, and they will be more comfortable as they stroll safely beside you.

Best-in-Class Options:

• Help ‘Em Up Harness – Full-body support with dual handles; ideal for large dogs who need both front and rear assistance.
• GingerLead – A sling-style support harness that allows for mobility without straining the caregiver.
• Ruffwear – a high-quality front-end harness for those active dogs without hind-end weakness.
• Four Flags Over Aspen – softly padded slings for under the belly, with adjustable-length handles for caregiver safety.

DIY Support - In a pinch, towels, canvas totes with slits down the side, or trimmed flat twin sheets can serve as effective temporary slings for smaller dogs or short-term support.

💡 Pro Tip: Check websites to ensure the harness fits snugly and features a chest strap for added balance. Always support pets at their center of gravity, not their neck.

Ramps, Steps and Summer Exploration

Whether it's a trip to the backyard, a car ride for a hamburger, a camping trip, or simply navigating doorway thresholds, thoughtful access aids make a difference.

Ramp Considerations:

• For steadiness, ramps need sides or a person standing beside to guide them.
• Angle matters: A ramp too steep can be scarier than stairs.
• Traction is critical: Use cleats, rubber stair treads, or roofing paper.

Options for Slick Floors:

• Yoga mats
• Flor.com sells carpet tiles with adhesive backing
• Dycem non-slip materials come in rolls
• Kids’ interlocking foam squares
• Interlocking mats for garage floors

Best Uses for Ramps:

• Getting in/out of vehicles (especially backseat and cargo area)
• Porch or deck access

Steps for Pets:

• Pre-made pet steps (customize the depth and footprint for the size of your pet)
• DIY options: storage bins, bricks, concrete blocks, or horse mounting blocks
• Convertible step-stools (search online for “dog ramps”)
• Use for a few steps at a time to expand access indoors.

💡Pro Tip: Always consider the trajectory of a pet's body in motion, especially descending. Front-heavy dogs (65% of their body weight is in the front!) need extra caution. Use a harness for added support.

Wheels for When Walking Isn’t an Option: Pet Wheelchairs, Wagons, and Strollers

Wheels can restore a sense of movement, participation, and independence for non-ambulatory pets, those with more significant mobility impairments, or those who simply tire quickly. Whether it’s a trip down the block, a camping bucket list adventure, or a vet visit, wheeled mobility tools let our pet patients continue engaging with the world around them.

Wheelchair Carts for Paralyzed or Weak Pets

Pet wheelchairs are a great fit for animals with hind limb paralysis, weakness due to neurological conditions, or those recovering from orthopedic trauma. They allow for self-propelled motion or support-assisted ambulation during physical therapy are adjustable for all sizes and mobility levels.

Recommended:

• HandicappedPets.com
• K9 Carts
• Eddie’s Wheels

💡Pro Tip: Ensure the cart supports the spine evenly, doesn’t cause pressure points, and aligns with the pet’s gait. Reassess fit regularly as the patient’s condition evolves.

💡Pro Tip: Contact vendors to ask if they will lend a wheelchair for you to try before making a purchase, or if they have used wheelchairs they are willing to donate.

Wagons and Garden Carts for Outdoor Adventures

Wagons provide the perfect balance between transportation and inclusion for pets too weak to walk at all. Ideal for large dogs, these rolling platforms allow pets to come along for family outings, enjoy the view from the porch, or watch the waves crash on the shore.

• Use padded liners or orthopedic foam to cushion pressure points.
• Add side padding or modify it with soft barriers to provide added stability.
• Garden carts with or without sides or folding cloth wagons work well—just test their balance and maneuverability on different terrain.

💡Pro Tip: For indoor transport of large, non-ambulatory dogs who want to stay close to the room to room, consider auto mechanics' "creepers," low-rolling platforms designed for sliding underneath the chassis. Use a pet bed on top for stability.

💡Pro Tip: To prevent anxiety, approach them in short spurts and long before you are planning to go for long periods of time.

Pet Strollers: Cozy Cruisers for Smaller Pets

Key Benefits of Pet Strollers:

• Smooth-rolling wheels with shock-absorbing suspension for comfort
• Mesh panels for airflow, safety, and visibility
• Zippered or drop-down entry for easy and safe access
• Weather protection options, including sunshades and rain covers
• Padded interiors for joint comfort and extended outings

Pet strollers are a game-changing mobility tool for small dogs and cats—perfect for safe and stress-free outdoor time. These enclosed, wheeled carriers are especially useful for pets recuperating from procedures and treatments, managing chronic illnesses, or those who are anxious or fatigue easily.

Strollers shine especially in crowded or stimulating environments—such as farmers' markets, parks, or veterinary waiting rooms—where sensitive pets may feel anxious or overstimulated. For many families, strollers are a lifeline that keeps their pets emotionally connected to the world they love.

Bonus: Pet strollers often fold flat to transport easily in cars, making them ideal for travel or bucket list outings like Maple’s camping trip to the Cascades.

💡 Pro Tip: Some baby strollers can be adapted for small pets and are often found inexpensively at consignment stores.

💡 Pro Tip: Search for Facebook Groups or online conversations like Buy Nothing to find a pet or an adaptable baby stroller.

💡Pro Tip: Practice using a stroller with your dog or cat while they are still active and well before you need to use it.

Mobility Solutions in Action: Finding the Right Fit

Each wheeled solution serves a different need:

• Wheelchairs: Active self-mobility for paralyzed or weak pets.
• Wagons: Passive transport is for larger pets who are unable to walk.
• Strollers: A perfect blend of mobility and comfort for small, fatigued, or anxious pets.

Veterinary hospice professionals can help families choose and fit the right tool based on:

• Pet size and weight
• Degree and type of mobility impairment
• Behavioral needs (e.g., anxiety, noise sensitivity)
• Environmental factors (e.g., terrain, travel)

💡 Pro Tip: Try before you buy! Many vendors allow you to test or rent equipment on a temporary basis. Consider local rehab centers or animal shelters that regularly accept donations. Fit and comfort are key—what works for one dog may not for another of a similar size.

💡 Pro Tip: Join the conversation on Reddit to discover what has worked for other mobility-challenged dogs from fellow pet parents. If you can find someone there who lives nearby, you may be able to get a deal or even a giveaway.

Traction Aids for Paws on the Move

Even if the legs are willing, slippery floors can be dangerous. It can be more practical to cover footies if rugs, rubberized, or yoga mats are not feasible.

Top Tools:

• Toe Grips – Soft rubber rings that can be fitted by your veterinarian onto nails for traction, see Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips.
• Dog Boots – Non-slip and flexible, good for both indoor and outdoor use. Check out Healers Pet Care Urban Walkers.
• Traction Sprays – Products like Biogroom ShowFoot add grip to paw pads.
• Dog Socks – Ensure they are rubberized; Pawz Waterproof Pet Boots aren’t a significant investment. Note that not all will tolerate them.

💡Pro Tip: Introduce socks and boots early so they can get used to walking in them while they are still well.

Leashes and Harnesses or Collars – The Emotional Anchor

In the home, a leash isn’t just about control — it’s comfort and connection. Pets find security knowing they’re attached to you, not only emotionally but physically too.

Especially if they’re unsteady, choose harnesses over collars to provide stability and support and to protect the tender neck area. Use a leash:

• Inside, to prevent sudden turns or falls, and especially on stairs
• During unfamiliar outdoor outings (like camping trips)
• While doing range-of-motion exercises or rehab stretches

Baby Gates, X-Pens & Safe Zones

Creating safe, structured environments is essential when mobility is compromised.

• Baby Gates: Choose those without a step-over bar. Install at the top or bottom of the stairs, or create off-limit zones for safety.
• Exercise Pens (X-Pens): Invaluable for temporary and portable safe zones indoors or outdoors. Protect flooring with tarps, and make it cozy with bedding and shade.
• Reflective Sunshades can be used to keep them from getting too hot in the summer sun.

Beyond Tools: Creating a Summer Mobility Mindset

A tool is only as effective as the strategy behind it. For caregivers:

• Reassess often — weight, comfort, and mobility can shift quickly.
• Select tools that cater to your pet’s specific medical needs, not just their size.
• Learn how to use tools safely and compassionately.
• Focus on enabling joy, not just managing decline.
• Keep in touch with your pet’s hospice professionals by sending photos with solutions you have come up with or problems you have yet to solve.
• Make the most of every day! This summer, let’s help pets live like Maple — rolling with her Mom toward the mountains, surrounded by love.

Calling All Pet Parents: Would you like to tell your “tail” and share your tips? Great–become a guest blogger! It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Share your experience with Michelle in a videoconference call interview.
2. Our staff will draft your blog article for you.
3. You will be able to proof the final copy.

Blog Writers: We can assist you by editing your work. Please see our Guest Blogging Guidelines. Please contact us if you are interested.

Allied Pet and Family Practitioners: Be sure to subscribe to the Pet Hospice Tips & Tails Newsletter on LinkedIn to share practical tools and tips to support your clients caring for their beloved aging companions.

( Blog post banner photo: Sylvie, the Frenchie, enjoying the outdoors and sunshine. Pet mobility wheels keep her active. )

About the Co-Author: Michelle Nichols Animal Hospice Coach, Educator, and Nonprofit Leader I'm Michelle, the Founder of AHELP Project. I am dedicated to caring for my pets with love, healthy choices, and trusted providers. I'm grateful to share lessons on life and loss through the AHELP Project. I'm looking forward to connecting with you!

About the Co-Author: Tina Ellenbogen Animal Hospice and Palliative Care Veterinarian and Human Hospice Volunteer “Dr. Tina” Ellenbogen is a pioneer in mobile animal hospice care with over 20 years of experience in the Seattle area. A co-founder of the AHELP Project and Certified Animal Hospice Practitioner, she offers distance consultations through her practice, Mobile Veterinary HomeCare and Hospice, based in Bothell, WA. She shares her home with her beloved long-haired Dachshund, Lincoln.