Innovation India Helping with disability…

Idea generated in the year 2006 to establish veterinary rehabilitation services in India by a core group team of veterinarians and rehabilitation experts…whole hearted devotion and work by this core group on various aspects of R&D, manufacturing, finance and marketing resulted in the birth of Innovation India in 2009, helping disabled pets lead a meaningful life. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” With the advancement in the field of animal treatment and welfare, people should try to get alternative treatments like rehabilitation sciences for the well-being of their pets.
Case files…
Radhika Wakharkar first heard about Innovation India through Dr Natasha Coutinho, a vet in Goa who used to work with an NGO called Goa Animal Welfare Trust with whom she was volunteering. At the time, Salsa, her own pet was already using a rehabilitation aid that they had imported from the US. Although it had been made to her specifications, she had outgrown it to an extent, and besides, it had its limitations as to what kind of surface she could use it on, because she was too heavy for it and was possibly weighing it down. They have been using the Wheely from Innovation India for almost a year and are very happy with it. It is light and easy to use and supports her posture, enabling her to move with a lot of ease. It has truly set her free. Because of this, she gets a good exercise without them having to worry about her putting too much pressure on her front legs.
Dhiren Rajpurohit’s 13-year-old Rottweiler named Polo developed arthritis due to old age and swung into depression. He would not eat food and would lie weeping in a corner, all day long. Polo’s condition only worsened when his body developed bed sores and fungal infection. The vets suggested mercy killing. But Dhiren decided to look for a solution instead and procured the wheel cart. Within months of being carted around, Polo has replenished his confidence. With his life prolonging by another couple of years, this is like a miracle for him.
Piyali Mukherjee Banerjee’s dog Tintin used Wheeley for one and half months. One day, suddenly Tintin stands up on her own for 30 seconds. Second day, she stands up and walked for 4 minutes and now she can walk…with her four legs greeting heartiest good bye to her walking wheels….
The innovative company…
Innovations India aims to minimise the sufferings of animals providing rehabilitation aids like wheelcarts, slings and splints. “We wish to play a vital role in improvising animal welfare standards in India. We aim to create awareness among the pet owners that there are alternatives by which they can save the life of their beloved pets,” says Pradeep Tyagi, founder and head of Innovations India.
The co-founder members include Dr Sandeep (rehabilitation specialist), Dr Kuldeep (animal geneticist and breeder) and Dr Surbhi (veterinary surgeon). In addition, a close association with NGOs, teaching professors, research scientists, research scholars, veterinary practitioners, rehabilitation specialists, dog breeders and pet parents helping them achieve their goal.
“Rehabilitation is a very old science but is underutilised in India, especially in case of animals. When a human gets paralysed, we look for every possible rehabilitation aid to improve the quality of life of that person. Similarly, if an animal gets such problem, we could go for rehabilitation of that also. These aids are available in foreign countries but their cost is very high (Rs 40,000 – 50,000). In addition, the shipment time is very long. So, there was a dire need for such an organisation in India which could provide these aids quickly at the required place that too at the affordable cost. With this background, the idea was born in 2006 and it took about 3-4 years for us to come in the open market,” he explains.
Challenges faced…
“The main challenge which our organisation is facing is lack of awareness among the pet parents. The most common reaction we get from people when they hear about us is – if only I had known about you before I put my dog to sleep,” tells Pradeep.
Keeping the cost of wheelies low is also a challenge but Innovations India has been able to achieve it successfully. “The voluntary support provided by the core group of technical experts has helped us to keep the quality of the products up to the mark and has also helped to keep the cost of the products minimal. The main cost involved is the manufacturing cost and all the technical help is coming by voluntary support. With increased awareness among the people the quantity of aids provided has increased,” he adds.
“When we started this organization the cases were very less, now we are getting more than 10 cases every month of wheel cart only, along with around 200-250 consultancy services per month. In addition, demand of slings and splints has increased tremendously in the last two years. People are contacting us and want to get aids for these pets,” tells Pradeep.
Helping pets nationwide…
“We have a different section for handling outstation cases, such as, outside National Capital Region (NCR). We provide our services through courier and try our best to provide the things at the door step of the owner, in the least possible time.
One can buy our products online at: www.innovationindia.weebly.com or www.innovationindia.tk,” informs Pradeep.
Tip to readers…
“Hind quarter weakness and paralysis can occur due to various causes like accident, old age, trauma, neoplasia, tick paralysis, malnutrition, obesity, neurological and degenerative diseases, etc. Paralysis leads to recumbency and animal cannot lift itself on limbs. It may lead to bed sores/decubital ulcers ultimately condition becomes so worse that we have no other option left other than euthanasia. Due to the multiple etiology of the problem, many a times a definitive treatment is not possible, but rehabilitation science has definite answer for such animals. Rehabilitation aids like slings and wheel carts if provided to affected animals at proper time, helps in preventing complications,” advises Pradeep on a concluding note.