A Bradford teenager’s invention to help treat injured dogs has won him a place in the finals of a national science and engineering competition.

Aspiring engineer, David Wilcock, 18, has developed a new form of hydrotherapy jacket to be worn by dogs undergoing rehabilitation for leg injuries.

The Bradford Grammar School student developed his prototype as part of his product design A-level studies to solve a problem identified by Yorkshire-based animal physiotherapist Hannah Theakston, who was using life jackets and cycling shorts to support dogs undergoing hydrotherapy in water tanks.

The process involves the animal being rehabilitated to walk on all fours using a treadmill in a shallow pool and David’s design gives adjustable and full body support to the animal while applying targeted pressure on specific muscle groups.

His invention was among those on show at the Yorkshire and Humber Big Bang science convention in Sheffield, an event aimed at promoting the creativity of children and young people and he was named regional winner of the Young Engineer for Britain award.

He has now been selected for a team to represent Yorkshire at the finals of the National Science and Engineering competition at the ExCel Centre in London next March.

David said: “It should make it easier for dogs to use their injured legs by providing greater buoyancy in the hydrotherapy tank.

“The jacket allows the physiotherapist to apply pressure to muscle groups on the dog and stimulate a response resulting in a faster recovery for the injured animal.”

He tested the jacket with Mrs Theakston at Carlton and Canine Hydrotherapy Centre in Yeadon.

Mrs Theakston said: “We piloted it on a dog and it worked really well.

“It incorporates the whole body if you want it to and a lot of hydrotherapy jackets out there don’t offer support to the hind legs.

“He has done a really fantastic job.”

Mike McKay, head of design and technology at Bradford Grammar, said: “We try to get students doing live projects, working with clients because it is more stimulating. We’re proud of David because this is a unique product.”

David is now in the process of securing a patent for his design.