Back in December, we reported that JK Antiques, Divisadero's pleasantly enigmatic oddities and antiques dealer, was set to change its format to include custom prosthetics, movie props and more. Now, however, the owners have decided to take the space in a different direction and open up shop as Buddy Braces, a prosthetics and orthotics outfitter for dogs.
"Jesse and I have a fanatical obsession with dogs," said part-owner Joe Miller, a prosthetist-orthotist who works next door at SF Prosthetic Orthotic Service. He, along with Jesse Koniuk from SFPO and JK Antiques, have teamed up with John Smith, who works for Lim Innovations, to bring John's business, Buddy Braces, back to life here in San Francisco.
John, who has roughly 18 years of experience in human prosthetics, had started his animal prosthetics business about 10 years ago in Sacramento. He now works in San Francisco, and had approached Joe with the idea of setting up shop in the neighborhood. Joe subsequently pitched the idea to Jesse, who then offered up the space formerly occupied by JK Antiques.
Both Joe and Jesse have volunteered at the SPCA for the better part of past decade. In fact, Jesse and his fiancee have fostered over 150 dogs during that time period. So when the idea to start applying their expertise in the world of prosthetics and orthotics to the plight of our furry friends came along, it seemed like a no-brainer for all parties involved.
via Buddy Braces
"What I like about all of this is doing what I do for people for dogs," Miller told us. "For me, the dogs are so much more than just animals, they're our friends they deserve to be taken care of. The philosophy behind our business will be to treat dog patients the same way we treat people. It's not like people are coming in and buying a leash or a coat for their dog. These are custom-made devices, and custom-made devices need to be custom-fit to every patient."
All three of them will work together, part-time, to serve their clients. To date, they have successfully outfitted three different pooches. Jesse will be doing the majority of the fabrication, as that's where his expertise lay, and Joe will be working with clients (along with Jesse) as John will be overseeing the business as a whole.
The space formerly housing JK Antiques is in the process of being cleared out and will be ready for Buddy Braces in a month or two. In the meantime, they are still taking clients and using the SFPO facilities to make the aftermarket limbs themselves.
Here's a glimpse, albeit vertically oriented, at one of their first clients:
"We'll also be making the little wheelchairs the dogs drag their butts on, and, in the future, we'll be making products for other animals too," Jesse told us.
Jesse has a unique expertise in making a particular silicone liner for the end of a residual limb to slip into, providing unparalleled comfort for amputees (he also makes remarkably life-like busts of mythical dinosaurs, but that's another story). The team plans to use this innovative technology on dogs, something heretofore unheard of. "It's unique," said Miller. "It's something that's only been used for people. It's possible we're the only people doing this for dogs."
When asked why he decided to ditch the idea of keeping the oddities shop, Jesse replied: "My passion for animals made me change my mind. I've always had a passion for them since I was a little kid. I've always loved taking care of them, watching them get fixed up. Dogs can show up hurt or mistreated, but if you're nice they will love you the next day."
For now, you can contact Buddy Braces through the website, or call Jesse directly at (650) 703-9515. Also, if you are still in the market for movie props and custom made silicon products, he's still available for those services as well.
