Portable Dog treat dispenser
The Charity ‘Dogs for Good’ require potential assistance dog owners to be able to dispense single kibble dog treats to reward the right actions during their training period. This person has been waiting over a year to have an assistance dog as she is unable to dispense treats by hand and none of the commercial or other REMAP-made solutions work for her and her situation. Until she can dispense treats, she can’t be allocated her own assistance dog, which restricts her independence and safety at home and when out and about.
She is able to move her hands when seated in her wheelchair but has no strength or dexterity.
Our volunteer Paul took on this challenge and has made a brilliant static treat dispenser for indoors and also this portable dispenser for when training the new dog while out and about.
The Challenge
The requirements for this version were –
- To dispense kibbles one by one
- To hold a minimum 5 to 10 kibbles
- To be light enough to be hung on a strap around the neck and operated with limited hand function
- The kibble can be dispensed onto the person’s lap when seated in her wheelchair and the dog collects the treat from there
The solution
The device is designed to be worn around the person’s neck with a strap, and rest at angle between 45 and 60 degrees with the outlet at the bottom so that kibbles fall onto the lap.
The solution chosen was a purely mechanical one. A rotating cassette with 14 slots allows a range of kibble sizes to be dispensed. A large lever is mounted on the left side – when pushed inwards it opens a shutter at the bottom allowing a kibble to fall out onto the user’s lap. On releasing the lever a ratchet rotates the cassette to the next slot and closes the shutter.
A cover can be opened for re-filling the slots, rotating the cassette with a knob on top.
The ABS extrusion-printed cassette is mounted on a brass ratchet wheel and housed in a wooden block with a perspex lid.
Video and other info available, email exeter@remapgroups.org.uk
The benefit
The charity can now select a suitable dog, and training can commence. An assistance dog will enable the person to carry on an independent life at home and in the great outdoors.
- Skills involved:
- Issues Addressed:
- Activities Helped:
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- Solution:
