We could all be a slight more like Josh .
Josh thegoldendoodlelives life big . He ’s joyful , rambunctious , and remind us all that we should be loud and proud about whatever we ’ve got goin' on . The 5 - yr - old whelp is also a special need cad , who inspired his blackguard mom , Kimberly Elliot , to start theBe Like Josh Foundation . His nearly 300k following on Instagram know him asJosh the Doodle , but this glad , downy pooch is more than just a societal media influencer — he ’s an brainchild to everyone he meets IRL and online .
An remarkably curly - surface pup , Josh enjoy hanging out with his humans and fellow animate being friends . He also has a neurological condition sleep together ascerebellar hypoplasia , which imply he was support with an underdeveloped cerebellum . Elliot ( who is also Josh ’s self - draw " help human " ) explicate it as his brain being able-bodied to understand what ’s happening , while his consistency struggles to perform movements .
To get around , Josh uses a especially made stage set of doggie rack to romp in the yard , a harness that Elliot uses to help him get up , and a pooch haversack where he snuggle in for wage increase on his homo ’s back . He goes camping , hangs out at the beach , and enjoy walks from the comfort of a cart his humankind pull so that he can have the existence just like any other click .
Despite his strong-arm limitations , Elliot narrate Daily Paws that Josh is an well-heeled , agreeable barker who is up for anything and do it adventures and the out-of-doors . " He does n’t seem to be fazed by his physical challenge . He ’s just an amazing , vivacious soul , " she says .
Josh first came into Elliot ’s living as a puppy , when she ’d been perusing fauna rescue situation and notice a photo of a red goldendoodle puppy alongside an explanation saying the puppy needed a surrogate home who could host aspecial pauperization animal . Elliot and her husband were up to the task , and agreed to further Josh until he could detect a forever home that could suffer his needs . But once Josh make it at their base as a foster , ineffective to walk and scantily able to get up , Elliot articulate he was still excited to be there despite his physical limitations . It would be a foster fail that would change all of their life in unbelievable ways .
" We knew that including Josh in our lives was only going to be a challenge if we could n’t think outside of the box , " Elliot says about their first few days together . " We decide , ' We can totally do this . Josh can stay forever and a day . ' "
Creating a Better, More Inclusive World for All
After Josh come in their animation , Elliot transmute into a major advocate for dogs with neurological disability . She launched the Be Like Josh foundation as a way to upgrade cognisance for dogs with special demand . And with Josh by her side as an embassador , she is capable to extend to thousands of the great unwashed through their popular social media postal service and community events . This dynamic duo and the other animals in her aid are on a mission to advance inclusivity for all , and tug back against ableism in all forms .
The purpose of the Be Like Josh organization is two - fold : They deliver , rehabilitate , andre - home base dogswho are go with neurological disabilities . If that were n’t enough , Elliot and her squad also run a residential area outreach weapon system that teach love and acceptance for all animals and people , oftentimes holding events at schools where Josh himself is the star of the show — there to play , snuggle , and inspire kids to be tolerant and bosom all people and animal disregarding of their deviation .
While Elliot and Josh are excellent advocates for dogs with impairment , this team is also a rattling admonisher that we all have a affair or two to determine from our canine familiar . " [ Be Like Josh means ] be who you are , beallthat you are , and live out loud . It ’s the idea that you do n’t have to be perfect or typical , you do n’t have to excuse yourself . you’re able to just exist in the man and be lofty of what you ’ve got going on . "
Despite his physical restriction , Josh still be intimate others categorically — the mode all dogs do . Elliot says this day-by-day dose of unlimited lovemaking is part of what create the two of them such a great squad .
" I ’m expert with Josh … because he has revealed so much to me . He has entirely run every ego - limiting belief I ’ve ever had , " Elliot allege . " I have so much gratitude for this journeying and for him . "
