What Is the Help ‘Em Up Harness and Is It Right for Your Dog?
Watching your aging dog struggle to get up can be heart-wrenching. Their legs give out, they slip on floors, and the pain in their eyes is unmistakable. You need a solution that works—and fast.
**TheThe Help ‘Em Up Harness is a full-body lifting device specifically designed for dogs with mobility issues1, featuring front and rear components that distribute weight evenly during lifting
As someone who’s helped countless owners find mobility solutions for their dogs, I’ve seen firsthand how the right supportive equipment can transform both a dog’s mobility and an owner’s peace of mind. Let’s look deeper at this popular mobility aid that’s changing lives for dogs with mobility challenges.
Who Owns the Help ‘Em Up Harness and What’s Their Story?
Many pet owners feel lost when their faithful companion starts Many pet owners1 feel lost when their faithful companion starts struggling with mobility
The Help ‘Em Up Harness was created by Cary and Jill Zimmerman in 2008 after their own experience caring for their aging Labrador who struggled with hip dysplasia and mobility issues. They developed the harness when they couldn’t find an adequate solution on the market.
The Zimmermans’ journey to creating the Help ‘Em Up Harness is a testament to the power of necessity driving innovation. Their dog Blue, a black lab, began struggling with severe hip dysplasia, and they found themselves constantly lifting him manually—an exhausting and potentially dangerous process for both them and Blue. They recognized that many pet parents face the same challenge and set out to develop a solution that would address the fundamental problem: how to safely support a dog’s entire body weight.
The company they formed, Blue Dog Designs, is based in Colorado and has grown from a small startup to an established brand in the pet mobility market. What sets their product apart is the extensive research that went into its development. The Zimmermans consulted with veterinarians, physical therapists, andThe Zimmermans consulted with veterinarians, physical therapists1, and canine rehabilitation specialists to ensure their design would properly support a dog’s body structure and not cause additional strain.
Over the years, they’ve refined their design based on customer feedback and veterinary input, adding features like machine-washable materials, quick-release buckles, and padding in critical areas. Their commitment to quality and functionality has earned them a loyal customer base and numerous endorsements from veterinary professionals.
What Is a Help ‘Em Up Harness Used For and How Does It Work?
Seeing your dog lose mobility can make you feel powerless. Whether it’s arthritis, hip dysplasia, or recovery from surgery, watching them struggle affects your whole family’s quality of life.
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is designed to assist dogs with mobility issues by providing a way for owners to safely lift and support their dogs’ weight. It features a front chest piece and rear hip lift that work together as an integrated lifting system.
The Help ‘Em Up Harness stands out from other mobility aids due to its comprehensive design approach. Unlike simple Unlike simple belly slings or rear-only supports, this harness provides a complete lifting system1 that addresses both the front and rear of the dog
The front component, called the chest piece, wraps around the dog’s shoulders and chest, featuring a sturdy handle positioned over the shoulder blades. This design allows for proper weight distribution when lifting the front end of the dog. The rear component, the hip lift, supports the dog’s hindquarters with strategically placed padding that avoids pressure on sensitive areas like the spine or genitals.
What makes this system particularly effective is how it distributes the lifting force. Traditional methods of lifting dogs—such as grabbing their collar or scooping under their belly—can cause pain and potentially injure both the dog and the person lifting. The Help ‘Em Up Harness spreads the force across stronger areas of the dog’s body, making lifting safer and more comfortable.
The harness can be used in various scenarios:
| Scenario | How the Harness Helps |
|---|---|
| Daily mobility assistance | Provides support for standing up, walking, and navigating household obstacles |
| Post-surgical recovery | Offers stabilization without putting pressure on incision sites |
| Physical therapy | Allows controlled support during rehabilitation exercises |
| Vehicle entry/exit | Makes lifting dogs in and out of cars manageable and safe |
| Stair navigation | Provides crucial support on challenging stairs that might otherwise be impossible |
The materials used are another thoughtful aspect of the design. The harness is made from durable, machine-washable fabrics with neoprene padding in key areas to prevent rubbing and discomfort during extended wear. Many owners find they can leave the harness on throughout the day, removing it only at night, which is particularly helpful for dogs who need frequent assistance.
Is the Help ‘Em Up Harness Veterinarian Recommended and What Do Professionals Say?
When your beloved dog is struggling, you need solutions you can trust. With so many products claiming to help mobility issues, it’s hard to know which ones actually have professional backing behind their marketing.
The Help ‘Em Up Harness is widely recommended by veterinarians, physical therapists, and canine rehabilitation specialists for dogs with mobility challenges. Professionals appreciate its ergonomic design that properly supports a dog’s skeletal structure while assisting with movement.
The professional endorsement of the Help ‘Em Up Harness stems from its anatomically informed design and practical benefits in clinical settings. Veterinary professionals frequently recommend this harness because it addresses a critical gap in pet care—the challenge of safely moving and supporting animals with limited mobility.
Dr. James St. Clair, a veterinarian specializing in geriatric care, explains that the harness’s design "respects the dog’s natural biomechanics." Unlike improvised solutions like towels or basic slings, the Help ‘Em Up distributes pressure properly, reducing the risk of causing additional pain or injury. This is particularly important for dogs with conditions such as degenerative myelopathy, severe arthritis, or This is particularly important for dogs with conditions such as degenerative myelopathy1, severe arthritis, or neurological disorders where improper handling can exacerbate their condition.
Canine rehabilitation specialists have incorporated the harness into their therapy protocols, using it to assist with:
Professional Applications of the Help ‘Em Up Harness
| Application | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Hydrotherapy | Safely lowering and supporting dogs in water therapy sessions |
| Gait training | Providing balanced support during walking exercises |
| Balance exercises | Offering security during balance board or physioball activities |
| Weight shifting | Facilitating controlled weight bearing on affected limbs |
| Assisted standing | Enabling longer standing periods to rebuild muscle |
Veterinary surgeon Dr. Maria Rodriguez notes that "post-operative care becomes significantly more manageable with the Help ‘Em Up Harness. We’ve seen fewer complications in recovery when owners can properly support their dogs without putting pressure on surgical sites."
Importantly, professional endorsement extends beyond just the physical design to include the psychological benefits. Certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Anna Johnson points out that "dogs with mobility issues often develop anxiety related to movement. The secure feeling provided by the harness and the consistent support during assistance helps reduce this anxiety, leading to better overall quality of life."
While professionals generally recommend the harness, they also emphasize the importance of proper sizing and fitting. A harness that’s too tight or too loose won’t provide the intended benefits and could potentially cause discomfort. This is why many veterinary clinics and rehabilitation centers assist owners with the initial fitting and demonstrate proper usage techniques.
Conclusion
The Help ‘Em Up Harness offers a comprehensive solution for dogs with mobility challenges, combining thoughtful design with practical functionality. Created by pet owners who understood the need firsthand, endorsed by veterinary professionals, and proven effective for daily assistance, it’s a valuable tool for extending quality of life for our aging or injured canine companions.
