Tattoos get nod from veterans group

PORT ORCHARD — A Port Orchard firm that offers unique cosmetic "tattoos" for veterans has received the go ahead from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), paving the way to become a U.S. government contractor.

Dan Horkey, founder and president of Global Tattoo Orthotic Prosthetic Innovations (GTOPI) in Port Orchard, now can contact veteran's hospitals across the nation to offer his tattoos for prosthetics and orthotics.

"This opens the doors for us to offer our services to veterans at VA hospitals and clinics nationwide," Horkey said.

Horkey, a trained prosthetic technician, has pioneered several methods for applying tattoos, artwork and custom color designs to orthopedic braces and prosthetic limbs.

He says the designs allow fellow amputees to express their individual ideas through custom designs or tattoos to the socket or cup, part of prosthetic limbs, using different techniques with a range of costs. The least expensive technique, from around $150 to $375, would use a process in which fabric with a design is applied to the prosthetic. The high-end technique, which costs $450 to $600, would be airbrushing, now used on cars.