Josh Horrobin, who is blind and hearing impaired due to Norrie disease, aged 17, joined a Guide Dogs, Buddy Dog family day with his sister Chloe and Mum and Buddy dog Webb in October in Eastleigh.
Josh spoke about the family’s buddy dog Webb who didn’t quite succeed as a guide dog but has been a fabulous addition to not just Josh but the whole family since September 2024!
Josh shared that Webb is a Lab-Retriever, 6 years and the calmest and loveliest dog. He loves walks, cuddles and carrots. When the family go out walking with Webb they meet lots of people and dog owners they would never meet otherwise.
Webb with Josh, Chloe and the Buddy Dogs team
Webb gets lots of attention when out as he’s a large dog, with very big brown eyes and a super waggy tail and very friendly! He wants to say hello to everyone and loves playing with other dogs – especially Labradors and Retrievers! His favourite thing to do is roll around in the grass! But watch out if you’ve got treats in your pocket because he’ll become your best friend!
Josh said that Webb was a very easy dog to welcome into the family because he was so well trained and calm and really easy to have around. He doesn’t bark or jump on Josh he will just come up for a stroke or a cuddle and rest his head on your lap or feet! He likes to be with the family as much as he can and will lay quietly nearby and have a snooze!
Josh said “The Guide Dogs Buddy Dog day was a great opportunity to meet other people interested in finding out more about Buddy dogs. I hope they too find a lovely dog like Webb who they can welcome into their family.
The family also got the opportunity to meet Webb’s trainer from Guide Dogs and hear about what he was like as puppy! Apparently he liked to sleep a lot!
Thank you so much Guide Dogs and Buddy Dogs for the fabulous and life changing work you do. See https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/help-for-children-and-families/buddy-dogs-for-children/ for further information.
Webb wearing his Buddy Dogs bib