BEAVERTON, Ore. — Innovation meets compassion at Valley Catholic Middle School, where students are preparing to unveil custom-built mobility devices designed to improve the lives of rescue dogs with limited mobility.
The “Dog Mobility Showcase,” set for Wednesday, April 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will feature eighth-grade students presenting their engineering solutions at the school’s Eagle’s Gym. The project is the culmination of a year-long partnership with Portland Dachshund Rescue.
Nearly 90 students participated in the initiative, working in structured “design firms” to mirror real-world engineering environments. Each team took on specialized roles—including project managers, design engineers, and marketing specialists—to create functional devices tailored to the needs of three rescue dogs.
During the showcase, three student teams will demonstrate their prototypes, giving attendees a firsthand look at how the devices assist dogs with mobility challenges. Rescue dogs will also be present, interacting with the devices and highlighting adoption and foster opportunities through the rescue organization.
In addition to live demonstrations, all 15 teams will display their design models, materials, and engineering concepts. Students and faculty will be available for interviews, offering insight into the collaborative process and the lessons learned throughout the project.
The initiative is led by Yin-Fang Liao, the school’s Director of Design Thinking, who emphasized the program’s goal of blending technical skills with empathy and real-world impact.
The Dog Mobility Project began in September 2025, inspired in part by animal prosthetics featured on the television series Wizard of Paws and further shaped by a virtual workshop with animal orthotics expert Derrick Campana. Since then, students have moved through research, prototyping, testing, and iterative design to bring their ideas to life.
The showcase builds on previous student success, including the development of a prosthetic prototype for a paralyzed labradoodle named Ember.
Organizers say the project not only teaches engineering and design thinking, but also instills leadership, teamwork, and a sense of purpose—demonstrating how young innovators can make a tangible difference in their community.
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