PEThletes

Dogs are natural athletes. They accompany us on walks, runs, skateboarding, and some even on surfing. But unfortunately, dogs with disabilities and mobility issues can't engage in sports, which also decreases their owners' motivation to exercise.

That's why Decathlon, the worldwide retailer democratizing sports for the many, alongside the agency Publicis Brasil, created an initiative that turns pets with disabilities into athletes again, extending the brand's purpose of moving everyone through the wonders of sports to pets as well, promoting well-being so they can fully enjoy life.

"Pethletes" is a sports prosthesis for dogs made from PET bottles collected from parks. They restore mobility for dogs that have lost movement in their hind legs, allowing them — and their owners — to engage in sports again.

The launch event took place at Villa-Lobos Park in São Paulo and was organized in collaboration with NGOs such as Cãodeirante, and invitations were extended to the community of tutors of dogs with disabilities.

At the Pet-station placed in the park, people deposited plastic bottles, which were recycled into filament and 3D-printed into prostheses.

For every dog that returned to sport, a human also returned. And soon, the prostheses will be available on Decathlon's e-commerce platform, enabling every pet to become a Pethlete.

After all, sports are for everyone. Including our best friends.