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Disabled Goldendoodle With 'Wobbly Animal Syndrome' Enjoys Camping, Hiking and Trekking

Ciara Sheppard

Published 
| Last updated 

Disabled Goldendoodle With 'Wobbly Animal Syndrome' Enjoys Camping, Hiking and Trekking

Featured Image Credit: Caters

A Goldendoodle with a condition that causes him to wobble all over the place is living his best life despite his disability.

Two-year-old Josh has Cerebellar hypoplasia - also known wobbly animal syndrome - which causes the part of his brain that controls motor function to be underdeveloped.

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The pooch's owners owner, Kim Elliott, 39, from Arizona, USA, and her husband, Andrew Hangartner, 35, were not put off by his disability when they fostered him from a rescue centre.

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Far from it, in fact: they wanted to give him the best life possible.

Kim, Andrew and Josh travel around the world, going on hikes, visiting beaches and camping. More than most able-bodied dogs do, wouldn't you say?

Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
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Personal trainer Kim, said: "I had seen that a nearby rescue centre needed a foster home for a Goldendoodle and immediately got in touch.

"I had tonnes of fostering experience but none with special needs, so I knew Josh would be a new challenge.

"I didn't even care that he had a disability though; I just felt it in my heart that this opportunity was meant for us.

"But I was scared and overwhelmed as I had no clue how to care for him, but I just went for it anyway and I'm so glad I did."

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Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters

After fostering him, the couple got Josh a wheelchair to help stabilise their furry friend.

Kim added: "Josh's Instagram page properly represents his life - he's having a blast.

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"He goes camping, hiking, to the beach, on road trips, lakes, the snow... You name it, he has experienced it!

"He's perfectly healthy as his mobility challenges come from the bad wiring in his brain, not his joints - he isn't in any pain.

"Josh never shows signs of frustration and he's pretty much happy all the time. He loves all people, all dogs, cats, kids, birds, he's very outgoing and confident."

Credit: Caters
Credit: Caters
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Kim says that having a disabled pet comes with its challenges, but most of all its taught her to be appreciative of her own life.

"The most important this that Josh has taught me is to be grateful for everything that I have and to celebrate my life despite any challenges that I face," she says, adding: "We wouldn't change him for the world."

Now there's a story to cheer up our day.

Topics: Dog, Life News, Real, Life

Ciara Sheppard
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