Loretta is a miniature zebu cow who was surrendered to the care of the Lazy J Rescue Ranch, nestled in the Goldfield countryside just north of Eagle Grove, due to an injury to her right front leg which went unrepaired at birth, causing the leg to fuse in a bent position.
Consultations with the Humboldt Veterinary Clinic came to the conclusion that “multiple surgeries would be a lot for Loretta to undergo especially when there was a low probability for them to work.”
So, the dynamic duo behind Lazy J began searching for a prosthetic leg for the little cow. Because while Loretta “gets around fairly well on three legs” the pair believed “her quality of life would be better with increased mobility which would in turn make her healthier in general.”
Their search led them to Derrick Campana, a prosthetics and orthotics expert who brings “human level care to animals like they deserve,” the Lazy J team asserted on Facebook. Campana, the founder of BionicPets.org is also the host of a TV show called The Wizard of Paws. Produced by Brigham Young University and broadcast on BYU TV at BYUtv.org, the show is internationally syndicated and has also been picked up by Nat Geo and Disney+. And Campana and his team at Nomadica Films just got two daytime Emmy nominations, for Best Host and Best Editing.
Back at the end of September and the beginning of October, the Lazy J team secretly hosted Campana and his production crew from nomadica films at the ranch. And over four days they told the Lazy J story, and Loretta’s, while Campana designed and built her a prosthetic device that would help her “run with the rest of our crew.”
Linn said they were “shocked, honored,” by the opportunity. “We were honored that they thought we were worthy,” Linn explained.
As for Loretta, her new prosthetic “has been literally life changing for her,” Fitzpatrick said. “She’s very happy! She goes everywhere now.”
In fact, she broke the bottom of the prosthetic food, “because she was playing so much,” Fitzpatrick said. And so Campana is sending another.
“She got the ‘zoomies’ for the first time,” Linn said, happily. “Every young animal should get the ‘zoomies’ when they’re little. And she never had, because she couldn’t.”
Lazy J will be hosting a watch party at Rails on Mother’s Day (May 12th) to show the episode three days before it airs. “Everyone is invited,” said Fitzpatrick, who also noted on Facebook that “it will be our first time seeing it too.” The episode will air on BYU TV on May 15th, and be available on Disney + and Nat Geo shortly thereafter as well.
