diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 19c618b..bd5da77 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -522,6 +522,22 @@ function M.is_playing(handle, anim_id)
     return all_puppets[handle].playing[anim_id] ~= nil
 end
 
+-- v0.4.4: Change the play-speed of a currently-playing anim WITHOUT
+-- resetting its cycle position. Silent no-op if anim is not playing.
+-- Use case: sprint toggle mid-walk doubles anim cadence without
+-- visible cycle-restart (which calling M.play again would cause).
+function M.set_play_speed(handle, anim_id, speed)
+    local p = all_puppets[handle]
+    if p == nil then
+        error("puppet.set_play_speed: handle " .. tostring(handle) .. " not spawned")
+    end
+    local play_state = p.playing[anim_id]
+    if play_state == nil then
+        return  -- silent no-op
+    end
+    play_state.speed = speed
+end
+
 -- ====================================================================
 -- Look-at + bone queries
 -- ====================================================================
diff --git a/manifest.lib b/manifest.lib
index bc42043..f8a8cc6 100644
--- a/manifest.lib
+++ b/manifest.lib
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
     "id": "lib-core.puppet",
-    "version": "0.4.3",
+    "version": "0.4.4",
     "api_min": "0.1",
     "deps": []
 }