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It All Started With Dutch
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Dutch wasn’t just a dog — he was family, a gentle giant with a goofy grin and a heart of gold.
When he passed away from an intestinal blockage caused by pieces of a tennis ball he had ingested over time, it was devastating.
But out of that heartbreak came purpose: to make playtime safer for dogs everywhere.
The Dutch Ball is more than a product. It’s a mission — to protect pets, honor Dutch’s legacy, and spark real innovation in pet safety.
This is where it began.
The Journey of Dutch Ball
May 31, 2025
Dutch passed away from an intestinal blockage after ingesting pieces of a tennis ball over time. His sudden loss left me without answers — and filled with questions.
June 2025
Turned grief into R&D — researched the problem, developed the initial concept, and began outreach to universities and veterinary experts.
August 4, 2025
Submitted the Dutch Ball Capstone Prospectus to Case Western Reserve University for consideration in their 2026 Spring program.
August 27, 2025
Case Western confirmed Dutch Ball is under internal review for Spring capstone project selection.
September 2025
Ongoing coordination with Case Western faculty regarding Spring senior design capstone engagement.
October 2025
Submitted a Project Pitch to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for consideration under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
November 2025
Preparing early documentation and R&D framework for university collaboration and upcoming grant milestones.
January 2026
Invited to present Dutch Ball to a Case Western Reserve University senior design engineering class as part of the Spring capstone program.