Older dogs, for whom surgery can be risky, often must rely on pain medications to help with dysplasia, but long-term medication also can be dangerous, says the college. So, the students developed the brace, first built last year by a mechanical engineering class. A new class now is reviewing the brace and trying to make it lighter, stronger and more comfortable for dogs.

The brace is a real breakthrough to improve the quality of life for older dogs, according to the college.