Therapy Group Named Top Small Business

Robert Babb, PT, MBA (left), president of PTW, is presented the award by Cindy Hunter and R. Michael Owens of the NPCC board of directors.

The North Penn Chamber of Commerce (NPCC), Lansdale, Pa, recently named the Physical Therapy & Wellness Institute (PTW) its 2008 Small Business of the Year award recipient.

Cindy Hunter, NPCC board of directors vice chairman, presented the award to PTW at the ceremony. In her introduction, Hunter described PTW as "an outstanding role model for other small businesses." In just 6 years, PTW has grown from one location with two employees, to a burgeoning practice with three locations and a staff of 33.

Representatives from PTW are active in the community at senior centers and at community events giving demonstrations and sharing information on the benefits of stretching and exercise. In his acceptance speech, Robert Babb, PT, MBA, president of PTW, forecast even greater growth for his organization in the near future and expressed his wish to return in another year or two as the winner of the Large Business of the Year award. Markets permitting, PTW plans to open a new location every 3 years.

In addition to being honored with the NPCC Small Business of the Year recognition, PTW recently received two other significant awards. PTW was voted the region's Best Physical Therapy Practice in separate contests conducted by two Philadelphia-based newspapers, The Reporter and The Philadelphia Inquirer.

For more information, go to www.ptwinstitute.com.

Campers practice their golf swing at the Amputee Coalition of America’s 2008 Summer Youth Camp, which was recently held at its new location in Clarksville, Ohio. Coalition headquarters is based in Knoxville, Tenn.

Coalition Sponsors Summer Youth Camp for Amputees

The Amputee Coalition of America 2008 Summer Youth Camp was recently held for the first time at the Joy Outdoor Education Center (JOEC) in Clarksville, Ohio. JOEC is a United Way agency partner and provider of youth development programs.

There are an estimated 70,000 individuals under the age of 18 living with limb loss in the United States. The Amputee Coalition of America's Summer Youth Camp, now in its ninth year, provides young people with limb differences, between the ages of 10 and 16, with a wide range of physical activities, team-building exer-

cises, and opportunities to learn from peers and adult amputee mentors.

The youth camp offers young people such activities as archery, swimming, arts and crafts, dance, music, an adventure ropes course, wheelchair football, disc golf, and tennis, which are directed by a qualified and trained staff.

According to Paddy Rossbach, president and CEO of the coalition, "The Amputee Coalition of America Summer Youth Camp provides boys and girls with limb loss and limb differences a unique camping experience that focuses on leadership development, nutrition education, physical fitness, improving self-esteem, creating positive social interaction, developing peer support, and, of course, having a great time.

"JOEC offers 315 acres of outstanding facilities conveniently located between Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton," adds Rossbach.

The sponsors and supporters of the Amputee Coalition of America Youth Camp include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cincinnati Recreation Commission/Division of Therapeutic Recreation, Otto Bock HealthCare, Ohio Willow Wood and the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, ASPIRE, The Adele A. and Harold J. Westbrook Foundation, Finish Line Youth Foundation, and Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation, as well as numerous individual contributors.

"Financial support from these sponsors enables the Amputee Coalition to reach more young people through our Youth Camp, and we know that this special experience will have a lasting and positive impact on their lives," observes Rossbach.

Based in Knoxville, Tenn, the Amputee Coalition of America is a national, nonprofit consumer education, support, and advocacy organization for individuals who have experienced amputation, or are born with limb differences. The coalition caters to individual amputees, amputee educational and support groups, family members and friends of amputees, physicians and other health care and rehabilitation professionals, prosthetists, amputation or limb loss-related agencies, and other organizations.

For information on the Amputee Coalition of America, please visit its Web site at www.amputee-coalition.org.

Merger Sparks New Name and integration of Products, Services

Otto Bock Healthcare, Minneapolis, is discontinuing the use of the OrthoRehab name for its postsurgical orthopedic services effective immediately. This change reflects the integration of the two companies' orthopedic rehab product lines and support services. The Arizona-based OrthoRehab Inc was acquired in 2005 by Otto Bock Healthcare LLC, a provider of postoperative orthopedic devices and therapy equipment.

"We've successfully united our two organizations with one vision—providing a complete orthopedic services solution that can support a patient from hospital to home," says Pat Chelf, vice president, sales and marketing, Otto Bock HealthCare North America.

"Now it's important that our name assures our audiences they are being served by the full breadth, history, and reputation of Otto Bock Healthcare," she says.

According to Cariann Hogin, director of marketing, "Simplifying our name will make it easier for orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and case managers to find us and make us part of their postsurgical follow-up team."

For more information on the merger and Otto Bock Healthcare LLC, go to www.ottobockus.com.

User-friendly Web Site Unveiled

The ROHO Group Inc, Belleville, Ill, recently launched its renovated corporate Web site, www.therohogroup.com, with a new look and more user-friendly navigation.

Hours of research, discussion, and reviewing Web analytics were conducted in order to achieve the look and structure of the site. The new clean look now has three key entrances from the home page: medical products, comfort products, and the ROHO Institute. Users can easily navigate between these three categories to find a wide variety of product-specific information, ordering information, case studies, warranty information, and much more.

The ROHO Group specializes in shape-fitting technology, manufacturing cushioning and mattress products for medical applications, as well as for recreational and commercial vehicle use. For more information, visit www.therohogroup.com.

CCI staff member Lance Weir relaxes with his assistance dog, Satine.

Initiative Helps Place Canine Companions with Disabled Vets

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), Oceanside, Calif, has launched a Veterans' Initiative to increase placement of assistance dogs with disabled veterans. CCI is a national nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Though CCI already counts many veterans as clients, the CCI's Veteran's Initiative represents the first targeted campaign on behalf of the organization to serve men and women with disabilities who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan. CCI places assistance dogs with clients nationwide. The CCI facility serves 10 states in the Southwest, and helps clients with a wide range of physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury, brain trauma, hearing impairment, and limb amputation.

According to Linda Valliant, CCI Southwest executive director, "Soldiers are coming home with [these disabilities] and CCI assistance dogs can help—not only with everyday physical tasks, but also with the difficult adjustment to living with a disability and transitioning to civilian life." The dogs are trained to respond to more than 50 commands, including opening doors, turning lights on and off, and retrieving dropped items. CCI hearing dogs alert people to important sounds like knocks on the door and smoke alarms. There is no charge for a CCI assistance dog, its training, or ongoing follow-up services.

Lance Weir is a CCI staff member and a service dog recipient. Weir, a former Marine, has a spinal cord injury and claims that since he received his assistance dog, Satine, his life has changed for the better. "Satine is a true soldier's soldier," says Weir. "She is steadfast, loyal, and I never have to worry who's going to help me with my dropped wallet or keys. I often catch myself beaming with pride as we travel together down a crowded street. Satine is not just beside me, she walks with her chin up, shoulders broad, and chest out.

"She exudes purpose, unconditional love, and companionship. Satine has given me back hope, motivation, responsibility, pride, and self-confidence."

To learn more about CCI and the programs it offers, or to apply for a dog, go to www.cci.org.