The six and a half month old female Labrador cross breed dog named Can Dost has quickly become the mascot of the Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) known for its animal friendly campus and projects that value people and nature. Can Dost who was previously named Umut was run over after an unlucky incident on the Güzelyurt – Nicosia main road three and a half months ago. After being noticed by a group of animal lovers the then five and a half month old dog was operated on by Vet Tuğşad Ebeoğlu, and one of her legs was amputated. Umut, whose expenses were met by the Silent Ones assosication, was in need of a warm and loving home. Immediately after hearing about the situation, EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam adopted Umut. With her new name Can Dost, Umut became a part of EMU, her lifelong home.
Can Dost has four legs once again
EMU Health Sciences Faculty have used all means available to help Can Dost who is living at an area designated to her at the EMU Rector’s Office, where she receives the constant love and affection of EMU employees. The prosthetic leg designed for Can Dost under the leadership of EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç and Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department academic staff member in charge of the Centre of Prosthesis Orthosis and Biomechanics Asst. Prof. Dr. Yasin Yurt was tested at the Main Building of the EMU Health Sciences Faculty on Tuesday, the 24th of October 2017 at 11:30. Lookers-on were moved to see Can Dost try to adapt to the prosthetic leg and walk on four legs like she used to. A rehabilitation process for Can Dost to adapt the prosthetic leg has commenced.
“We have started the prosthetic leg adaptation period”
Speaking about the prosthetic leg EMU Health Sciences Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mehtap Malkoç stated that the work they are carrying out can be viewed as a type of social responsibility project noting that the Health Sciences Faculty is making important breakthroughs in Prosthesis and Orthosis in the TRNC. Indicating that they see Can Dost as their patient Prof. Dr. Malkoç highlighted that they are doing all they can to eradicate her problem, starting the rehabilitation program that should lead to adaptation of the prosthetic leg.
A first in the TRNC
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department academic staff member Asst. Prof. Dr. Yasin Yurt expressed that a practice carried out on animals abroad has been carried out for the first time in the TRNC at EMU. Asst. Prof. Dr. Yurt also indicated that the prosthetic leg design can be used for different types of amputee animals. Stating that a healthy society requires healthy animals Asst. Prof. Dr. Yurt noted their hopes of this work initiating the materialization of the planned Animal Rehabilitation Centre. EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Osam’s dog Can Dost continues to live her new, happy and peaceful life at EMU.