Carroll to Help Develop Dolphin Prosthesis Kevin Carroll, CP, FAAOP, vice president of Prosthetics for
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Bethesda, Maryland, has been chosen from a
select group of international prosthetic experts to help develop a
prosthetic tail for Winter, a dolphin who lost her tail fluke
following an injury. Carroll's appointment was announced by the
Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Clearwater, Florida, at a press
conference April 20.
Winter, an 18-month-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, was
stranded near Cape Canaveral, Florida, in December 2005, after
being caught in a crab trap. Her tail fluke eventually came off, as
it was severely damaged by the trap's rope entanglement. After
being transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter received
round-the-clock medical attention in an effort to save her life.
She survived and then adapted to a less efficient and potentially
damaging side-to-side swimming style, as there was no tail fluke to
give her thrust.
Carroll brings to the task nearly 30 years experience as a
practicing clinician, researcher, and educator. Carroll is the
co-developer of the patented Hanger ComfortFlexTM Socket
System and travels daily treating the most difficult amputations
nationwide. He has appeared nationally and internationally on news
broadcasts such as Dateline, 20/20, and the Discovery Channel.
"I am honored to be selected by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
for this unique patient case," Carroll said. "Winter is an amazing
animal with an inspirational story of overcoming adversity. Her
story echoes the spirit and endurance of so many of our
patients."
The consortium consists of Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Hanger
Orthopedic Group Inc., and will be advised by Mike Walsh, DVM,
former lead veterinarian at SeaWorld; Steve McColluch, director of
Dolphin Research and Conservation at Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution; and Juli D. Goldstein, DVM and marine mammal
specialist.
"This is the one of the strongest and most experienced teams I
have seen in any industry," said David Yates, CEO of Clearwater
Marine Aquarium. "These are the most qualified people in their
respective industries. They give us a real chance at success."
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution is one of the world's
leading nonprofit oceanographic research organizations devoted to
the study of the earth's oceans, estuaries, and coastal
regions.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization, dedicated to marine animal rescue, rehabilitation and
release, and environmental education.
For more information on the Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution, visit www.HBOI.edu
For more information about the Clearwater Marine Aquarium
and Winter, visit www.SeeWinter.com
For more information about Hanger Orthopedic Group, visit www.hanger.com 
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