Specialty Fabrics Review July 2019 - 40

Cooper is shown happily wearing his
pair of leggings designed to treat a very
deep decubital ulcer/wound on his left
elbow caused by his physical challenges.
The leggings, created by Phoenix Design
Solutions, are made from Polartec Power
Stretch RX, 5mm Airprene, knitted elastic,
and Velcro® hook and loop fasteners.
Photo: Phoenix Design Solutions.

that helps resist UV damage. The nonfire-retardant fabric covers feature up to
16 percent translucency; the fire retardant
covers feature 19 percent translucency.
Either fabric imparts a natural
illumination to interiors during the day,
providing an outdoor feel for animals.
Hope says Calhoun Super Structure
is fielding more inquiries about its
fabric structures for livestock and
equine applications.
"That's the trend," she says.
"Customers are choosing fabric structures
over traditional wood or steel because of
the natural light they provide, as well as the
versatility, durability and quality. We're also
seeing more customizations. Customers
want a beautiful finished exterior that
includes wood paneling, lots of windows
and doors and front porch extensions for
a completely customized look."
A LEG UP
Since 1979, Duane Smith-co-owner
of Cokato, Minn.-based Canvasworks
Inc.-has produced boat covers, awnings
and other custom covers, along with

Providing an assist into this truck is the Dogs-Up Ramp from Canvasworks.
Designed to help dogs enter and exit high vehicles without injury, the sturdy yet
lightweight ramps are constructed of marine-grade materials and aluminum.
Ramps have also been designed for pools and boats. Photo: Canvasworks Inc.

40 REVIEW JULY 2019

manufacturing fabric and aluminum
products for the original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) industry. The
company has also developed several of
its own products like the Dogs-Up Ramp,
inspired by Smith's puppy that grew into
a much larger-than-expected dog.
"Lifting him in and out of the dog box
on the top of my pickup bed wasn't easy on
either of us," recalls Smith, who also trains
dogs for field trials. "Since I was aware of the
risks of allowing him to jump in and out on
his own, I decided a ramp was in order."
Finding the available ramps too heavy
and bulky, he put his knowledge of canvas
and aluminum to work, launching the
Dogs-Up Ramp in 2012. At 8.5 pounds,
it was easy to use and the dog took to it
willingly. Other trainers noticed and
put in their requests.
"From there demand grew quickly until
it became a regular seller for our company,"
he says. "We've made quite a few custom
ramps in addition to our stock models,
including different widths, bi-folds and
pool ramps. We even made a ramp for
a pontoon boat to assist our customer's
giant-breed dog."
The body of the ramp is constructed of
marine-grade materials and consists of a
combination of a solution-dyed polyester
fabric (TOP NOTCH® from Marlen
Textiles) and a 100 percent UV-stabilized
bulk continuous filament (BCF) propylene
carpet finished with grey TuftLoc backing
(Aggressor from Syntec® Industries). Smith
selected the materials for their strength,
durability and cleaning ease.
It can be difficult getting pet owners
to understand the value of a ramp since
they tend to be less cognizant of the strain
jumping in and out of a vehicle can put
on their pet's body. However, although
working dogs and the field-trial world
still comprise his biggest markets, Smith
anticipates demand from the pet world
increasing as awareness of and concern
over animal comfort grows.
Specialty Fabrics Review July 2019

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