Photo: Photo Courtesy of WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe
DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An animal sanctuary in Dartmouth has taken in an interesting calf under their care. His name is "Cricket" and he has been with The Nerd Herd Sanctuary (TNHS) after having a rough start to life; the two-week old calf was born without the ability to use his hind legs.
"He had white muscle disease, a naval infection, and he'll go to Tufts to see what's going on," said Melissa Sylvia, of TNHS and Archangel Equestrian. The newborn calf was schedule to visit Tufts in Connecticut on Monday to gain full insight into his condition.
But for the time being, Sylvia made a custom wheelchair for Cricket so he could get around the sanctuary. "We used PVC, pool noodles, rope, and two different types of tires- one stays straight, the other one is a swivel so he can turn corners," Sylvia said.
Sylvia was feeding the black and white spotted calf when WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe caught up with them.
Sylvia said that Cricket has made plenty of progress over the last week, getting up and standing on his own, even walking short distances. "He does drag that hind right when he walks, he's getting there but it's going to take a while," she said.
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The Archangel Equestrian said that they are hosting Christmas tours and shared their Venmo account on Facebook to support Cricket's journey to rehabilitation.
"I don't think just because you're different you should be a throwaway. He's the sweetest little thing- his life matters just as much as everyone else's," said Sylvia.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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