We have managed to make another trip around the sun and what a year it has been. While this year has brought many changes, the good news is that they have been positive ones and we look forward to an even brighter 2022.

The year opened with continued COVID protocol, but we finally were able to start seeing patients inside our main clinic in Morgantown by mid-year. While both of our facilities continue to ask that everyone wear masks, we are very happy to again welcome everyone inside our doors. We understand that everyone is much happier coming inside with their pets and we, too, are happy to be able to accommodate our clients.

Jim Alaimo, founder and owner of My Pet’s Brace, prepared for retirement (in the distant future, so don’t panic) by selling a portion of the company to employees, Clayton Blunk and Anna Spangler. Clayton is one of our clinicians who has been with the company for about eight years. His degree in mechanical engineering with emphasis on bioengineering has Clayton well-positioned to handle the orthopedic injuries he sees at the clinic. Anna has been with us about five years and has a degree in marketing, international business, and management. She is well prepared to keep us on the forefront of technology and to keep us moving into the future.

This year brought us televised recognition with the airing of our new show Second Chance Pets on the FOX Television Network. The 13-episode half-hour show followed numerous patients as they got a second chance at an improved quality of life with the help of prosthetic devices or braces. Having the film crew here brought us eye-opening experiences in the realm of reality TV. It is amazing the amount of video filmed to produce a 30-minute television segment. They were a talented group of folks with whom to work and we had a lot of fun interacting with them. Special thanks to all our clients and their pets who helped to bring our work to the screen. None of it would have been possible without them and we deeply appreciate that so many of them opened their homes, traveled countless miles, and spent many hours to be part of the production. Re-runs are still airing! Check your local listings.

We saw several cases this year that challenged us and had us thinking beyond our usual braces. We saw a goat, a pig, and a special dog, all of which needed special carpal braces requiring that we “think outside the box” to help them. We rose to the challenge and fitted them with variations of our regular carpal brace, enabling them to have an improved quality of life.

As we move into the new year, we are pleased to announce the opening of a new satellite office in New Jersey. Having an office so close to New York City will be advantageous to clients who would otherwise need to make the lengthy trip to our office in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The good news is that this new office will be able to fit not only braces but also prosthetic devices for those pets who have lost a portion of their leg. They plan to start seeing appointments January 10th. A hearty welcome goes out to our new office in Toms River, New Jersey.

As we move forward, our goal, as always, is to continue to help as many pets as possible remain mobile for as long as possible. As the year ends, we pause and reflect on all the pets that we have seen and feel incredibly lucky to have had the unique opportunity to help them. We also think about those pets that, sometimes, we are unable to help. Braces are not always the best solution, and we realize for many owners that is extremely disappointing. However, we always try to provide an alternative solution. For many pets, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, or laser treatments can help an injury when braces are not an appropriate solution.

Special thanks to the veterinarians who refer their clients for us and to those many veterinarians who call to consult with us on special cases where a brace may be the most appropriate application or provide a unique solution to a challenging or complicated orthopedic injury.

We would like to thank all our clients who entrust their pets to us, knowing that for some of them this is their last opportunity to provide an improved quality of life for their beloved family member. It is with sincere honesty that we say we do not take this responsibility lightly. We understand that your pet is a member of the family and holds a special place in your lives and your heart.

As the year ends, we would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and a safe and healthy new year. We cannot succeed without you, our clients, and all the veterinarians who entrust their patients to us. We express our deepest gratitude and thanks for enabling us to help you and your pets to live a healthier and happier life.