A dog’s unconditional love and companionship can change a person’s life for the better. Rubin and Vesper’s story serves as a great example of this.
Rubin has poor vision in his left eye and he cannot see out of his right eye. He also suffers from nystagmus, so his eyes make repetitive movements that he can’t control.
Rubin’s condition has made life very difficult. Fortunately, he met Vesper the buddy dog. Vesper’s loving presence has had a positive effect on Rubin. The golden retriever helped Rubin become more confident, active, and happy.
Vesper the buddy dog
Buddy dogs are friendly and well-behaved dogs that originally went through the same training path as a guide dog. Unlike guide dogs, however, buddy dogs cannot be anywhere a pet isn’t welcome. They also can’t act as a sighted guide or mobility aid. Affectionate dogs like Vesper became buddy dogs instead of guide dogs because this sort of career is a better fit for their sweet personalities.
Buddy dogs allow children like Rubin to enjoy the friendship and benefits of owning a pet dog. Vesper helped Rubin to become more confident and friendly. Vesper also helps keep Rubin safe. When Rubin’s family goes out and takes a hike, for example, Vesper is right next to Rubin to protect him.
Vesper and Rubin
Rubin’s family loves exploring the outdoors, so they go out and take Vesper everywhere. Some of their activities include hiking, swimming, and paddleboarding. Rubin often has to rest during these trips because he struggles with his physical coordination. Vesper is always by Rubin’s side, however, and he senses when Rubin has to take a break.
Rubin’s mom hopes that the relationship between Rubin and Vesper will help Rubin to bond with a guide dog once he grows up. She also hopes that Rubin and Vesper’s story will encourage other families to consider getting a buddy dog for their children with vision impairments.
Credit: @vesperbuddydog_adventures