How Chewy Claus Helped Brooke and Dray Reclaim Walking

How Chewy Claus Helped Brooke and Dray Reclaim Their Favorite Activity

Walking your dog is one of life’s simple pleasures—a chance to get outside, enjoy fresh air, and strengthen the bond between pet and owner. For Brooke Eby, a 36-year-old ALS advocate living in Potomac, Maryland, this everyday activity became impossible after her diagnosis. Three years ago, Brooke was told she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects motor neurons and the spinal cord. The disease weakens and atrophies muscles over time, forcing Brooke to eventually rely on a power wheelchair for mobility. Despite her diagnosis, Brooke has maintained an inspiring outlook on life, sharing her experiences authentically with her TikTok community. However, there was one activity she deeply missed: taking walks with her beloved senior rescue dog, Dray, whom she adopted when she was 26 years old.

When Brooke heard about Chewy Claus, the pet company’s annual wish-granting initiative, she saw an opportunity to reclaim her independence. She wrote a heartfelt letter to Chewy Claus on behalf of her furry companion, explaining how much Dray missed their daily walks together. What happened next was a remarkable collaboration between Chewy, Bold Lead Designs, and Brooke herself—resulting in a custom adaptive leash that would change both their lives.

The Challenge of Walking with a Disability

Before Brooke’s ALS diagnosis, walking Dray was a daily ritual they both cherished. However, as her condition progressed and her mobility declined, what once seemed simple became increasingly complicated and even dangerous. Brooke tried various adaptive solutions, but none worked effectively with Dray’s small size or her power wheelchair.

“Walking Dray became a game of adaptations,” Brooke recalls. “I’d try to use my walker, and Dray would knock it over. I’d try to use a cane, and he thought it was a stick and would chase it.” When she attempted to use a standard leash from her wheelchair, there was a constant risk of the leash tangling in the motorized chair’s wheels—a hazard for both her and Dray. On one particularly memorable occasion, Brooke bent down to pick up after Dray with a poop bag while using her wheelchair and found herself stuck folded forward, requiring assistance from a passerby to help her back up.

After these frustrating attempts, Brooke thought her days of independently walking Dray were over. The limited adaptive pet products on the market simply weren’t designed to work with power wheelchairs, leaving pet parents with disabilities with few options. Standard leashes posed safety risks, while existing adaptive leashes weren’t appropriate for Dray’s small frame or Brooke’s specific mobility needs. This gap in the market highlighted a larger problem: the pet industry had largely overlooked the needs of pet owners with disabilities.

Chewy Claus Takes Action

Chewy’s annual Chewy Claus initiative invites pet parents to write letters on behalf of their furry friends, expressing their holiday wishes. For every letter submitted between November and December 24, Chewy Claus donates five meals to pets in need through Greater Good Charities, with plans to distribute up to 16 million meals total. However, the initiative does more than just donate meals—it also grants wishes to deserving pet families.

When Chewy learned about Brooke and Dray’s story, they recognized an opportunity to make a real difference. Brooke’s letter about Dray’s wish to walk with his mom again wasn’t just a heartwarming story; it represented a genuine problem affecting thousands of pet owners with disabilities. Chewy decided that Dray’s wish would be the first to be granted, and they committed to making it happen through a comprehensive solution.

The company recognized that this wasn’t a simple request. As Chewy noted in their press release: “Although Brooke has tried several adaptive leashes, they often tangle in her wheelchair and aren’t designed for Dray’s small size. These insufficient leashes have deprived Brooke of one of her favorite activities—taking a walk with her best friend—and the sense of independence it brings.” Chewy understood that creating a solution would require specialized expertise and careful design considerations.

Partnering with Bold Lead Designs

To bring Brooke’s vision to life, Chewy partnered with Bold Lead Designs, a small business specializing in custom-designed products for service dogs and other pets serving owners with disabilities. The company’s owner and designer, Katrina Boldry, understood the unique challenges involved in creating adaptive pet products.

“It sounds like a simple request, but it’s not,” Boldry explains. The design process had to account for multiple complex factors. Brooke’s power wheelchair is sophisticated machinery weighing hundreds of pounds, and any adaptation would need to be expertly engineered to work seamlessly with it. The leash attachment point had to be secure and reliable, given that Brooke depends on her wheelchair for all her mobility.

Beyond the wheelchair compatibility, the team had to ensure that the leash solution would be appropriate for Dray’s small size and temperament. The leash needed to keep Dray safely distanced from the wheelchair wheels to prevent entanglement while still allowing him comfortable freedom of movement. It also had to be easy for Brooke to use independently, without requiring assistance or complex procedures.

After careful consideration and design work, Bold Lead Designs developed an innovative solution: a spring-loaded leash extension. This specialized attachment would keep Dray safely distanced from the wheelchair while providing him with the flexibility he needed to walk, sniff, and explore comfortably. The design was customized specifically for Dray’s size and Brooke’s wheelchair specifications, making it a truly personalized solution.

“Hands-free control is really important for people that have disabilities because it gives them a sense of independence,” Boldry emphasized. “We made what I call a fastener-free collar, so all you have to do is clip the leash onto the chair, slip the collar over his head, and off she goes.” This simple-to-use design was crucial for Brooke’s ability to walk Dray independently.

Dray’s First Big Test

Creating the adaptive leash was a major accomplishment, but the true test would come when Dray actually used it. Unlike service dogs that undergo extensive training, Dray was a pet who had never encountered this type of equipment before. Boldry knew that many pets become nervous or fearful when introduced to something unfamiliar, and a negative first experience could take months of training to overcome.

For Brooke and Dray, time was precious. With ALS being a progressive disease, creating the opportunity for them to walk together again couldn’t wait for a lengthy training process. Everyone involved—Boldry, Brooke, and her parents Ginny and Cliff—held their breath as they prepared for the crucial moment.

Brooke slowly led Dray down the driveway with his new adaptive leash for the first time. Dray was hesitant at first, sensing that something was different. This new leash was unlike anything he’d worn in his life, and his initial reaction would determine whether this solution would work. With gentle encouragement from Brooke, Dray took his first few cautious steps alongside her wheelchair.

Then something wonderful happened. Dray took a few more steps, and then even more. Before long, Brooke and Dray were rolling down the street together, greeting neighbors and stopping to play with other dogs as if the adaptive leash had always been part of their routine.

“It gave me goosebumps,” Boldry recalls. “It’s amazing to see that it’s working exactly the way we designed it. You saw the smile on [Brooke’s] face. It was awesome.” Brooke was equally amazed: “He caught on so well. He doesn’t seem to notice a difference.”

The Freedom and Independence Restored

The success of that first walk opened up an entirely new chapter for Brooke and Dray. Thanks to their custom adaptive leash from Chewy Claus, they could return to their favorite pastime—and more importantly, they reclaimed the sense of independence and freedom that comes with it.

“I feel a lot more independent,” Brooke says. “Having something like this is one less time I have to ask someone to do something for me.” This statement captures the profound impact of the adaptive leash. For someone managing a progressive disease, independence is precious. Every activity they can do without assistance represents a victory and helps maintain dignity and autonomy.

The emotional impact extended to Dray as well. As Brooke explains: “Dray is seeing me be less and less active, and it’s just showing him that I’m still there, still the same leash holder I’ve always been.” Even as her physical capabilities changed, Brooke could still be the person Dray loved and the companion he needed.

Brooke’s reaction to Dray’s quick adaptation to the new leash also provided her with an important lesson. “I’m shocked at how quickly he adapted,” she says. “He just accepted it and started walking. It’s a good lesson for all of us.” In many ways, Dray’s flexibility and acceptance mirrored Brooke’s own approach to living with ALS—finding ways to adapt and continuing to embrace life.

A Prototype with Broader Potential

While the adaptive leash was specifically custom-designed for Brooke and Dray, Katrina Boldry recognized that this solution could help many others. “The one Brooke uses won’t work for every power wheelchair user,” Boldry explains, “but it’s a prototype that could be adapted for other pet parents.” She emphasizes: “Now that we know it works, we’re going to look into how to make it for other people.”

Brooke is equally enthusiastic about the potential. “There’s such a market for it,” she points out. “So many pet owners have disabilities, and it’s tough. There’s not really a ton of adaptations being made in the pet world right now. I hope it opens up a lot of independence for people and more activity for their pets.”

This insight highlights a significant gap in the pet industry. While the disability accommodation sector has made substantial progress in creating accessible products for home, work, and transportation, pet care products have lagged behind. The success of Brooke’s adaptive leash demonstrates that there is both a need and an opportunity for more innovative solutions in this space.

Chewy Claus’s Broader Impact

Beyond creating the custom adaptive leash for Brooke and Dray, Chewy made a significant financial commitment to supporting people living with ALS. The company donated $10,000 to Team Gleason, an ALS advocacy organization dedicated to helping people live fully while managing the challenges of the disease. This donation, made in honor of Brooke and Dray, reflects Chewy’s recognition that supporting pet owners with disabilities extends beyond individual gifts—it means supporting the organizations and resources that help these individuals thrive.

Team Gleason provides comprehensive support to ALS patients and their families, including resources, advocacy, and community. The organization’s mission aligns perfectly with Brooke’s own philosophy of “living life in dog years”—a reminder to make every moment count, even when facing an uncertain future.

Living Life in Dog Years

Brooke Eby’s mantra of “living life in dog years” captures her approach to life with ALS. In dog years, seven human years equal one dog year, meaning dogs live in a compressed timeline where every moment is intensified and valued. Brooke’s philosophy encourages people to adopt this same mindset—to make every moment count and to find joy and meaning despite the challenges life presents.

For Brooke and Dray, their walks together represent more than just physical activity. They symbolize connection, independence, and the determination to continue living a full life despite significant obstacles. The adaptive leash that Chewy Claus and Bold Lead Designs created is more than an assistive device; it’s a symbol of innovation, compassion, and the recognition that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with their pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is ALS and how does it affect mobility?

A: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurological condition that affects motor neurons and the spinal cord. It causes muscles to weaken and atrophy over time, eventually affecting a person’s ability to walk, move, and perform daily activities. Many people with advanced ALS require the use of wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Q: How does the adaptive leash work with Brooke’s power wheelchair?

A: The adaptive leash features a spring-loaded extension that keeps Dray safely distanced from the wheelchair wheels while allowing him comfortable freedom of movement. The fastener-free collar design allows Brooke to simply clip the leash onto her chair and slip the collar over Dray’s head, enabling her to walk him independently without assistance.

Q: Can this adaptive leash design work for other wheelchair users?

A: While Brooke’s leash was custom-designed for her specific wheelchair and Dray’s size, Bold Lead Designs has indicated that the design could be adapted for other pet parents with disabilities. The company is exploring how to create variations that could help more people with different wheelchair specifications and pets of various sizes.

Q: What is Chewy Claus and how does it work?

A: Chewy Claus is an annual holiday initiative where pet parents write letters on behalf of their pets expressing their wishes. For every letter submitted, Chewy donates five meals to pets in need through Greater Good Charities. The initiative also grants wishes to select pet families, as happened with Brooke and Dray.

Q: How did Dray react to the new adaptive leash?

A: Dray was initially hesitant but quickly adapted to the new leash with gentle encouragement from Brooke. He learned to walk comfortably with the spring-loaded extension and now walks as if the adaptive leash had always been part of his routine.

Q: What is Team Gleason and how is Chewy supporting them?

A: Team Gleason is an ALS advocacy organization that helps people live fully while managing the challenges of the disease. In honor of Brooke and Dray, Chewy donated $10,000 to Team Gleason to support their mission of providing resources and advocacy for ALS patients and their families.

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medha deb

 

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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