A sheep whose two hind legs stopped working shortly after she was born has been given a new lease on life after being gifted a specially-made wheelchair.
Winnie the ewe is part of a flock that has roamed the yard outside Pakefield Church in Lowestoft, Norfolk, for several years.
A week after she was born in March alongside fellow spring lamb Roo, Winnie lost control of her two back legs due to a deficiency and hindlimb paralysis.
The prognosis wasn’t looking suitable for the young ewe, with vets advising that she’d need to be put down, but ministers at the church refused to give up.
They contacted Winston’s Wheels – a charity based in Sudbury, Suffolk, that provides wheelchairs and strollers to disabled dogs – and asked if they could do anything.
After assessing Winnie, they fit her with “cartwheels”, claiming it was “the first wheelchair sheep” that they had ever helped.
Introducing the Wheelchair Solution
Children, youth and families minister at Pakefield Church, Katey Mills, said: “The intention was to look after the lambs ahead of them becoming part of the flock.
“But a week into having them, Winnie sadly woke up with no use of her back legs – it happened overnight.
“We took her to the vet and were told she needed to be put down. But we didn’t give up, and it was a good emotional moment seeing her on wheels and scooting around. We are very grateful to Winston’s Wheels.”
A young Ewe was gifted with her wheelchair after two back legs stopped working when she was just one week old.
Winnie the ewe was born in March alongside fellow spring lamb Roo outside Pakefield Church in Lowestoft, Suffolk.
But ministers at the church soon discovered Winnie suffered from deficiency and hindlimb paralysis, which caused her back legs to stop working.
It wasn’t looking suitable for the young one until ministers at the church contacted Winston’s Wheels – a charity for dogs that need help to stay mobile, by providing wheelchairs and strollers for the pets.
The Future of Mobility Solutions for Animals
The team assessed Winnie to see if she would fit in cartwheels, and lo and behold, it was ‘the first wheelchair sheep’ they had helped.
From Pakefield Church, Katie Mills said: ‘The intention was to look after the lambs ahead of them becoming part of the flock.
‘But a week into having them, Winnie sadly woke up with no use of her back legs – it happened overnight. Winnie is not the only animal in a wheelchair; this next dog and cat duo will melt your heart.
Scooter and Falco, a cat who requires a wheelchair and a three-legged dog, love hanging out together.
Scooter, three, is a Siamese cat who injured his spine in an accident and can’t use his hind legs and his friend Falco. Also, three were found on the streets, already missing their leg.
The adorable pair have been through a lot in life, but they’ve found and shared a home with owners Rose Mary Millan and her partner Roy in Bolivia, South America.
For several years, a flock of Suffolk Rams has roamed the yard outside Pakefield Church in Lowestoft, Norfolk, England.
Roo and Winnie, two new March-born spring lambs, were set to become the latest addition to the flock.
But a week after her birth, Winnie’s back legs stopped working.
With a deficiency and hindlimb paralysis, the prognosis was not good for the young ewe, but ministers at the church were determined to find a solution.
They contacted Sudbury-based Winston’s Wheels: a charity for dogs that need help to stay mobile, by providing wheelchairs and strollers for the pets.
After assessing Winnie, they fit her with “cartwheels”, claiming it was “the first wheelchair sheep” they had ever created.
Katey Mills, the Children, Youth and Families Minister at Pakefield Church, said: “The intention was to look after the lambs ahead of them becoming part of the flock.
“But a week into having them, Winnie sadly woke up with no use of her back legs – it happened overnight.
“We took her to the vet and were told she needed to be put down.
“But we didn’t give up, and it was an excellent emotional moment seeing her on wheels and scooting around.
“We are very grateful to Winston’s Wheels.”
The Sheep’s Story Goes Viral
It’s never too early to get your dog a wheelchair. If your dog is stumbling, losing their balance or tiring quickly, it’s time to consider a wheelchair. It’s true that many wheelchair dogs are paralyzed or suffer a traumatic injury, but that’s not the case with every dog. Many wheelchair dogs still walk on all four paws and even stand independently. The Walkin’ Wheels provides support, allowing your dog to stand upright and get the exercise they so desperately need. Even dogs that can still move their back legs benefit from a wheelchair!
Older dogs who tire easily on long walks or whose joints ache from arthritis or hip dysplasia can significantly benefit from a wheelchair. The wheelchair supports them from underneath, relieving the stress on their joints and allowing your dog to walk easily! How your dog uses their wheelchair is up to you! Many dogs use the wheelchair daily, while other pets only on days when they need extra help.
