A disabled Goldendoodle has been living his best life thanks to his wheelchair and owners who were willing to give him a loving home.
Josh, who is two years- old, was diagnosed with Cerebellar hypoplasia – also known as a wobbly animal syndrome – causing part of his brain that controls his motor function to be underdeveloped.
Owner, Kim Elliott, 39, from Arizona, wasn’t put off by Josh’s disability when she and her husband, Andrew Hangartner, 35, decided to foster him from a local rescue centre.
Josh travels around with his adopted parents, going on hikes, visiting his favorite beaches and camping.
Kim, a personal trainer, said: ‘I had seen that a nearby rescue center 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.
Josh travels around with his adopted parents, going on hikes, visiting his favourite beaches and camping. He’s pictured with Andrew
‘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.’
Since fostering Josh, Kim got him a wheelchair so her four-legged best friend can live his best life.
Kim added: ‘Josh’s Instagram page properly represents his life – he’s having a blast.
‘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.’
Since fostering Josh, Kim got him a wheelchair so her four-legged best friend can live his best life. But the pooch also clearly enjoys hitching a tide with Andrew
The brown color is one of the more common Goldendoodle coat color
Despite loving having Josh as a pet, Kim explained that having a disabled animal isn’t always easy.
She added: ‘Having a pet with a disability can be difficult for many reasons: I would say our main challenges are providing constant enrichment for him – exercise and stimulation to keep him moving and staying strong.
‘He has a tendency to be inactive if we aren’t actively assisting him and as his case is quite severe, he needs assistance from us to eat, drink, and walk.
‘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.
‘We wouldn’t change him for the world.’
Josh pictured reclining in a hammock. ‘He has a tendency to be inactive if we aren’t actively assisting him and as his case is quite severe, he needs assistance from us to eat, drink, and walk,’ said Kim
Kim added that Josh has taught her ‘to be grateful for everything that I have and to celebrate my life despite any challenges that I face’
The family pictured together on one of their trips. ‘We wouldn’t change him for the world,’ said Kim