‘MY DOG IS THE MOST TRAVELLED GUIDE DOG IN THE UK – HE LOVES THE LONDON UNDERGROUND’
Source: Mirror (Extract)
Posted: March 21, 2022
Meet Fin, the most travelled guide dog in the UK, that has visited nearly 50 different places from the south coast of England right up to Scotland.
The adventurous black retriever Labrador cross loves travelling around the nation with his partially blind owner, Tom Mosler, 28, from Ludlow.
Fin has given Tom the confidence to visit new places and ride public transport that he would have previously been too afraid to attempt alone.
Sharing how his guide dog has changed his life, Tom said: “I am more confident and happier. Fin reduces my anxiety. People understand more that I have needs.”
Tom, who has nystagmus, first contacted Guide Dogs in 2016, looking for a support dog to help build his confidence.
He was struggling to do the things he wanted to do alone and says it was “hard to cope”.
He was matched with Fin in 2018 and has since never looked back.
The pair spent their first 18 months together getting used to their local area and walking routes, and Tom started planning trips to all the places he wanted to visit.
Then as soon as lockdown was lifted last year, Tom and Fin began their holidays around the UK together.
In April 2021, they went on their first visit to Portsmouth, and then every weekend after that.
By the end of last year, they had visited countless places across England, south Wales and Scotland, learning history and exploring a small part of the world.
Fin loved venturing on different forms of transport that would usually scare Tom, including a steam railway in Norfolk, a boat in Weymouth, a train in Yorkshire and an aeroplane in Scotland.
Tom had no troubles navigating the tubes in London, as staff were helpful and Fin knew when to get on and off.
Reflecting on their first year of travel together, Tom said: “We have bonded well. I am happier and more confident.”
When dog Fin isn’t working or travelling, you’ll find him playing with his fluffy toys and going on free runs.
“He is a character to have in the house and enjoys getting all the fuss,” Tom said.
Fin’s name was chosen by a donor as part of Guide Dogs Name a Puppy Scheme. This scheme raises vital funds that allow people like Tom living with sight loss to live the life they choose.
