Lake Erie College Student Creates Prosthetic Leg for Injured Goat| at Campus Makerspace

When Lake Erie College junior Abby Butcher rescued Zelda, a severely injured goat in need of an amputation, she turned to an unexpected resource on campus: Lake Erie College’s Makerspace. Now she’s working with faculty to design and 3D-print a custom prosthetic leg, combining compassion and innovation in one of the most unique student-led projects the college has seen.

Though Abby is a full-time student majoring in psychology (with minors in criminal justice and legal studies and writing), she also runs a full-fledged animal rescue operation. Her sanctuary, located in Madison, Ohio, is currently home to 17 goats, three horses, seven pigs, and countless chickens. Plans are underway to open two new locations that will double their rescue capacity.

Her work began just a few months ago, sparked by the successful recovery of a severely ill baby goat with a 15 percent chance of survival. Since then, Abby has made it her mission to rehabilitate abused and neglected livestock, often taking on complex medical cases like Zelda’s.

Zelda came to Abby’s sanctuary with multiple traumatic injuries: a crushed patella, dislocated shoulder, exposed bone, and severe tendon damage. After a successful amputation surgery in collaboration with The Ohio State University, Abby committed to giving Zelda more than a chance at survival, but mobility and a high quality of life.

“Seeing Zelda go from months of pain to having a chance to walk again is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” said Abby.

Tower Honors Program Director Dr. Emily Hoopes-Boyd connected Abby with Dr. Greg Rothwell, who runs the LEC Makerspace. Hoopes-Boyd suggested exploring the feasibility of creating a prosthetic using 3D printing technology. The team got to work researching and designing a low-cost, functional solution tailored to Zelda’s needs.

“I had no experience with 3D printing before this,” said Abby. “Thanks to the incredible support of the campus makerspace, I’ve learned so much. We now have a full plan in place, and once Zelda’s incision is healed, we’ll be ready to fit her for her prosthetic.”

The prosthetic is currently in the planning and design phase, with final fitting scheduled for later this fall.

Abby’s experience has also shaped her future career path. After undergrad, she plans to attend law school with a focus on agricultural law, aiming to advocate for stronger protection for livestock. She’s currently drafting a proposed bill in Ohio to increase legal consequences for livestock abuse and neglect, combining her passion for animals with her academic pursuits in law and policy.

“The Makerspace didn’t just help one goat, it showed me how tech can play a bigger role in animal welfare,” said Abby. “I hope this is just the beginning.”

The Lake Erie College Makerspace, located in Garfield Center, provides access to hands-on learning, design tools, and fabrication technology, for all students and the public. Abby’s project is one of many that highlights how creative problem-solving and cross-disciplinary collaboration can make a tangible difference in the real world.