Subsequently, a retired veterinarian named Lincoln Parkes is inspired by dog owners. Lincoln now 90 years old, shares his amazing story. Parks enlisted into the Navy Air Corps towards the end of WWII. After the war he worked at many odd jobs.
SKIING THE SLOPES
He loved to ski, so many of his odd jobs took him to parts of the country where skiing was good. After two years of odd jobs he re-evaluated his life and decided to go to college. Having worked as a ranch hand and tending animals he decided to study veterinary medicine. Not surprising Lincoln ended up at the veterinary college at Colorado State University.
WHAT NEXT
Lincoln spent the tail end of the war stealing and analyzing enemy equipment. Little did he know then, this skill would bring him wealth and fame. He went on to do his graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and chose veterinary surgery.
GREAT EMPATHY
During Lincoln’s career as a veterinary surgeon he performed more than 3,000 spine surgeries on mostly dogs. He was known for his great empathy towards disabled animals who could no longer walk. Many of which, were unable to walk again after spine surgery. Throughout his career he ran a small workshop on the side to make special wheelchairs for animals.
DOG OWNERS GIVE INSPIRATION
Dog owners were an added inspiration for his inventions, designs and innovations. As a consequence of spinal surgery, degenerative disease or injury he saw many dogs no longer able to walk. The pet owners did not want to put their animal down and pleaded for options. Lincoln gained a remarkable reputation which brought him fame in the industry and great respect for his work.
LABOR OF LOVE REWARDED
In the early 1960’s, Lincoln invented and patented the first cart to give disabled animals mobility returning increased quality of life. Dogs, cats, rabbits or chickens they all benefited from his patented carts and wheelchairs. Lincoln not only brought back quality of life for these disabled animals but he also brought back great joy to the pet owners.
K-9 CART IS BORN
Around the same decade, Lincoln opened his first shop to the public called K-9 Cart. He continued to run his side business which employed several workers. His wife ran the day-to-day operations while Lincoln was still working his career.
Lincoln Parkes retired from his career as a veterinarian surgeon in 1991 and settled in a tiny Chesapeake Bay town. The town population of about 600 residents, and only one main street with a grocery store. Lincoln dedicated himself full-time to his passion among scores of resident and vacationing yachts.
LIFE LONG PASSION
Only two blocks from his home, Lincoln continued to work on his life long passion. Retirement didn’t slow him down. His labor of love gave disabled animals the ability to walk again and most importantly to see their playful spirit return. Nothing beat seeing an animal just take off in playful glee once he/she was fitted into the cart or wheelchair!
REVOLUTIONARY WORK
Once paralyzed, animals just lying there watching life pass by them, now filled with life again like a puppy. Lincoln was rewarded by earning respect in the industry for his revolutionary work. Therefore, in demand nationwide, he created wealth and comfort. Today there are many competitors providing similar devices for disabled animals. However, Lincoln Parks will always remain the hero who started a labor of love for disabled animals.
References
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/inspired-life/wp/2018/08/09/this-90-year-old-retired-vet-gives-ailing-dogs-and-rabbits-and-chickens-a-spring-in-their-step/?noredirect=on By Hannah Natanson, August 9, 2018 at 6:00 a.m. MDT
Photos by http://www.k-9cart.com/