PET is a faith-based, volunteer-powered, humanitarian, and worldwide organization, operating as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
early PET
early PET car-like seat
Beginnings
PET began in 1995 when Reverend Larry Hills, missionary in Zaire (now Congo), Africa, told Reverend Mel West of the great need for three-wheeled, hand-cranked wheelchairs for victims of polio and landmines. Mel contacted Earl Miner, product designer and long-time friend and mission partner, and the process of the prototype design began.
Earl Miner
In 1996, when development prototypes were ready for field testing, four were shipped to Larry Hills with the instructions to “put these in the worst place you can find, and see if they pass the test.” Larry did, and the PETs did. Shipments began to Zaire, where Larry had set up a place to receive the frames, put on the wooden beds, and distribute them. See history
for the full story.
Mel West
Larry Hills
