Fifth Grader Builds Wheelchair For His Teacher’s Dog

It’s not like rescue dogs don’t already have a lot of obstacles to overcome. Dana Holden says of Leonard, her Dachshund mix, “They think some sort of tumor is forming, impacting on his spine.”

Leonard responds to Dana’s call and lumbers along the floor on his hind legs to get to her. She acknowledges his tenacity with affection, compliments, and peanuts. Dana replies, “His leg is just not getting the messages.”

Leonard is still as cuddly and charming as ever despite having some mobility issues. The screen-saver image on Dana’s laptop, which she uses at work as a fifth-grade teacher, showed off Leonard’s charms in all their glory.

“When I would project it for the class, they just thought he was really funny,” Dana says. “They just love him. They loved hearing stories about Leonard.” It was only a matter of time until 9-year-old Leonard came to meet Dana’s 11-year-old students.

“They were so excited,” Dana says. “Lenny the celebrity.” It was during that school visit that Leonard’s legs caught the eye of one particular boy.

His name was Emmett Rychner. He may be familiar to you.

Eight years ago, then-3-year-old Emmett formed a friendship with his next-door neighbor, WWII veteran Erling Kindem. A viral video featuring Emmett and Erling went viral.

Millions of time were spent sharing articles about the couple on social media that appeared on KARE 11 and NBC Nightly News.

Emmett, who is 11 years old, saw Leonard stumbling last spring. Emmett’s thoughts began to circulate. “And I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I need to make a wheelchair for that dog, and the entire class agreed.”

After all, Emmett was the class problem-solver. Do you need a dog drinking fountain? One was created by Emmett. Would you like a cool bag to carry your lunch in? Emmett also created one of those.

But Emmett’s biggest task would be making a wheelchair for Leonard. Over the next few months, Emmett did not lose sight of his goal. His teacher took notice.

“I mean, a lot of kids will say that they can do something, but to actually have that follow-through and persistence,” Dana says is something she doesn’t often see in her fifth graders.

“I think he has just an empathy, and whether that’s from Elring, or just who he is, he’s got that in him already,” Emmett’s former teacher continued. For Emmett, losing interest was out of the question.

“He was just the sweetest dog ever and I thought I’ve got to do something to help him,” Emmett says. Emmett’s first design was a bust. A trial run with Leonard in front of Emmett’s classmates ended in disappointment.

“It was not big enough, it was not long enough, his legs couldn’t slide all the way down into it,” Emmett says. “He looked sad at first, I was worried,” Emmett’s mother, Anika Rychner said.

Emmett’s father, Bryan Rychner, says the let-down his son felt was fleeting. “Then it was home, ‘I’m going to do this and make it better.’” Emmett was prepared for Leonard to try a different design a few weeks before the start of the new academic year.

Emmett constructed a wheelchair with larger wheels after learning from his past errors. Even front and rear lights were added for nighttime strolls. Leonard was taken by Dana to Emmett’s basement workshop after being lowered down his stairs.

The amiable Dachshund was slung into the chair by the teacher and pupil together. The seatbelts were adjusted.

Dana yelled for Leonard to come as she took a few steps back. He accomplished it effortlessly.

Leonard glided around the room with ease, his front legs pulling him along while his back legs were dangling above the wheels.

“Lenny, oh my goodness,” said Emmett, smiling broadly.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I just love finally seeing him walk.”

And yes, there are companies that make dog wheelchairs, in fact, one recommended by Leonard’s vet.

Dana smiled, recalling the conversation. “I said, ‘Nah, I’ve got somebody I know.”

Source: Kare