Meet Mateo — a resilient rescue pup with a prosthetic leg and a mission to inspire the world, one brave step at a time.
Mateo’s journey began in Greece, where he was found on a roadside heap of trash alongside his sister. He was just a few weeks old — scared, injured, and missing a paw.
At first, rescuers thought it was a birth defect. But the scars on his leg told a different story: his paw had been amputated.
Wanting the best for him, his rescuers arranged for Mateo to be transferred to Germany, where he could receive specialized care. That’s when Veronica Pinscht first met him — and instantly fell in love.
“I was in love with him right from the start,” Pinscht told The Dodo.
Despite knowing it would be challenging to care for a special needs dog, especially with two other rescues at home, she didn’t hesitate.
Mateo quickly joined the family and met his new siblings, Mojo and Rana — two dogs who, like him, had survived difficult pasts. The bond between the three was instant.
“They’ve been one heart and soul from day one,” Pinscht said. “They’re completely inseparable.”
The trio does everything together, from protecting one another to learning new tricks.
But perhaps the most touching moment came when Mateo began using his first prosthetic leg at just six months old.
To help him adjust, Pinscht would walk Mateo on a leash to keep him focused.
That’s when Mojo, the smallest of the pack, stepped up in the biggest way — walking right beside his brother during every training session.
Seeing Mojo’s dedication, Pinscht turned training into a shared activity: she taught Mojo how to gently hold Mateo’s leash in his mouth and walk with him.
“This was a lot of fun for Mojo because he felt part of the training,” Pinscht said. “And Mateo had the support of his little big brother.”
It wasn’t just adorable — it was effective. Mojo’s presence gave Mateo comfort and confidence. And every walk ended with a sweet hug from Mojo.
Since then, Mateo has gone on countless walks with his brother by his side. Together, they explore not just their neighborhood but the world.
Pinscht takes all three dogs — Mateo, Mojo, and Rana — with her wherever she travels, from France to London to Italy and Portugal.
Their adventures are more than just fun; they’re a way to show the world what rescue dogs — and dogs with prosthetics — are capable of.
“It’s wonderful to show that dogs like Mateo can enjoy life, travel, and thrive with a prosthesis,” Pinscht said. “And that rescue dogs are amazing!”
Follow Mateo, Mojo, and Rana’s heartwarming journey on TikTok.
