Sometimes they provide psychological support as well.

Take 71-year-old Sophie DuBois, one of Moniz’s customers from Cohoes, N.Y., who’s had an irregular shaped left foot since she sprained her ankle at the age of 3.

"I’ve always worn a special shoe and I’ve kept many pairs but two years ago I found I needed new ones,’’ DuBois said.

DuBois, unable to find the right supplier, turned to Moniz’s expertise in handmade orthopedic footwear after earlier attempts to replace her old shoes failed and left her "emotionally disturbed.’’

"It’s important for me to have the right shoes,’’ said DuBois, who’s made the 300-mile round trip drive to Alvaro’s Pedorthic Facility and Shoe Repair on South Street three times during the past two months for consultations and fittings.

"I like to be active but I just can’t walk without the right shoes,’’ she added.

Moniz, one of the region’s few remaining shoemakers who specialize in handmade orthopedic footwear, was recommended to DuBois by one of her insurance providers.

Last week, Moniz presented her with the final product at his South Street store.

The taupe-colored shoes, which cost $1,200, included one painstakingly molded for DuBois’ left foot.

"It’s a perfect fit,’’ said DuBois. "Now I have comfort and I’m walking again. I think I’ve been pretty lucky to find this man.’’

For Moniz, 56, who was shining shoes on Main Street when he was 12, it was yet another challenge.

"Everyone’s different,’’ Moniz said. "To do it this way you have to capture the exact measure of the foot. There is no middle man. I do everything here.’’

Moniz came to Danbury in 1958, a year after he and his family emigrated to America from their home on the Portuguese island of St. Miguel in the Azores.

"I guess I really started in the shoe business when I was about 12 and still in school in South Street,’’ Moniz said. "I used to do shoe shines on Main Street and in bars.’’

Three years later, Moniz found himself working part time after school and in summer at Fabiano’s shoe repair shop on White Street.

When he reached 10th grade, Moniz left Danbury High School to join the U.S. Marine Corps and returned to Fabiano’s after leaving the service.

Moniz opened his own shoe repair business on South Street in 1973 and moved it to its present location a year later. He began his specialization in orthopedic footwear in 1976.

As with DuBois’ shoes, Moniz creates his custom-made footwear by using plaster of Paris molds and candle waxing to eventually get a foot mold. The final form, around which the shoe is eventually built, is made from plastic.

"It’s a hands-on business,’’ said Moniz. "There are a lot of master craftsmen making regular shoes but not many making this kind of orthopedic footwear.’’

Moniz, who runs the business with Herminia, his wife of 32 years, enjoys his craft.

"I’ve worked hard to put my time in but to be successful, you have to put your time in,’’ Moniz said.

Certainly DuBois and her 72-year-old husband, Arthur, were well pleased.