Hugo Girl & Her Dog Both Getting New Prosthetic Legs

Monday, September 19th 2016, 6:51 pm

By: News 9

Averie Mitchell, 9, can do just about anything she puts her mind and legs to. She runs, does gymnastics, and plays like any other little girl. The only difference is she has a prosthetic leg.

Averie was born with Congential Pseudoarthrosis of the Tibia. When she was two years old, Averie’s leg broke and it never healed because of her condition. Her leg was amputated.

She’s had a prosthetic leg for as long as she can remember and she’s had to get a new one every time she outgrows it. Her mom, Kim Mitchell, says she has gone through between 10 to 15 prosthetic legs already.

“It doesn’t really make any difference because it feels just the same as a real leg,” said Averie.

Six months ago, Averie and her family drove from home in Hugo to Oklahoma City to see Andy Anders, their certified prosthetist. There was another furry little patient waiting to be fitted for a prosthetic limb, named Hattie.

Hattie is a black Labrador mix, now about a year old. She’s also missing the lower part of her back right leg.

“Hattie sensed that there was something different about Averie,” said Kim. She says the two of them had an instant and special bond.

Hattie was brought into Anders’ office at Celerity Prosthetics by her foster family. Kim says Hattie may have been abused in the past that caused her to lose her leg, but she is unsure.

She knew by watching Averie and Hattie, she needed to adopt this pup for her daughter. “Sometimes people do stare,” said Kim, “It gives her a companion so she feels a little bit more confident.” She said Averie has a new energy with Hattie by her side.

Fast forward to today, Averie is still running and doing gymnastics, but now her best friend Hattie is by her side. They run and play together like any other little girl and her dog.

Anders is making both of them a new prosthetic limb now that Averie is outgrowing her current one and Hattie is almost full grown. A new mold has been made for Averie already and the prosthetic socket is working very well. She is expected to have her new limb in a week.

As for Hattie, Anders is working to find the perfect fit for her, which will take a few months. In the meantime, Hattie runs as fast as any other dog with her three legs.

“It feels good to have another person like me,” said Averie, talking about Hattie.