| One of the wonderful things about becoming involved in Doodle breeding over the last 5 years has been the relationships I have developed with other Doodle breeders. In particular, I feel grateful to have become friends with the late Barb Smith of Labradoodles of Illinois. Barb was one of the genuinely kind people in the world. She had a soft spot in her heart for children and dogs, and they were always a special part of her life. She had been a school teacher and a breeder long before I came to know her. As a Labraoodle breeder she brought joy to the families that made the puppies she bred a part of their lives. She also donated numerous puppies to people needing service dogs. Below are some words and pictures from and about people whose lives were graced by Barb and her dogs. Search our site to find what you need to know! |
A Tribute to a Friend
Westwood Doodles:
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles,
and North American Retrievers
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles,
and North American Retrievers
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Barb befriended me on an internet
Labradoodle posting board. I had
posted that I was looking for a
labradoodle for my son with autism.
We were going to have the dog trained
to be a service dog for him.
Barb so kindly responded and offered
me a pup. Just talking on the
phone with Barb, you could tell she
had a place in her heart for
special needs children. We made the
arrangements and I flew up to get
Sterling. I had such a nice time
meeting Barb and Momma Barbara
when
they brought Sterling to the airport.
Barb had told me that from the
minute that Sterling was born, it was if
he knew he was destined to
have a Service Dog job. Barb certainly
had a keen eye for what it
took for a pup to become a working
dog and she was not wrong about
Sterling. He has turned out to be the
smartest dog I have ever seen.
Sterling and my son are growing up
together and bonding nicely.
Sterling does not let his boy out of his
site and he so enjoys visits
to Target and Walmart with his boy.
Sterling goes with my son to
Church, dentist offices, monthly
hospital visit, therapeutic
horseback riding, and his favorite--the
mall! If it were not for
Barb's generous spirit and her
willingness to help a stranger, this
partnership would never have evolved.
Sterling and Blake are a match
made in heaven, made possible by an
angel, Barb.
After our trainer met Sterling and was
wowed with his potential she
talked to Barb, who donated 4 more
dogs for service work. Shadow is
working with his boy with Asperger's
Syndrome, AJ. Jake is working
with his boy with autism, Jamie. Nickel
is in training as a mobility
dog for her lady, Jan. Stella will no
doubt find work as a service
dog as well and is currently in
obedience training. Barb's legacy will
live on through these dogs bringing joy
and independence in the lives
of handicapped people. Barb, we will
not forget you and Sterling is
not going to let you down.
Thank You Barb, from the bottom of
our hearts and we will miss you.
Labradoodle posting board. I had
posted that I was looking for a
labradoodle for my son with autism.
We were going to have the dog trained
to be a service dog for him.
Barb so kindly responded and offered
me a pup. Just talking on the
phone with Barb, you could tell she
had a place in her heart for
special needs children. We made the
arrangements and I flew up to get
Sterling. I had such a nice time
meeting Barb and Momma Barbara
when
they brought Sterling to the airport.
Barb had told me that from the
minute that Sterling was born, it was if
he knew he was destined to
have a Service Dog job. Barb certainly
had a keen eye for what it
took for a pup to become a working
dog and she was not wrong about
Sterling. He has turned out to be the
smartest dog I have ever seen.
Sterling and my son are growing up
together and bonding nicely.
Sterling does not let his boy out of his
site and he so enjoys visits
to Target and Walmart with his boy.
Sterling goes with my son to
Church, dentist offices, monthly
hospital visit, therapeutic
horseback riding, and his favorite--the
mall! If it were not for
Barb's generous spirit and her
willingness to help a stranger, this
partnership would never have evolved.
Sterling and Blake are a match
made in heaven, made possible by an
angel, Barb.
After our trainer met Sterling and was
wowed with his potential she
talked to Barb, who donated 4 more
dogs for service work. Shadow is
working with his boy with Asperger's
Syndrome, AJ. Jake is working
with his boy with autism, Jamie. Nickel
is in training as a mobility
dog for her lady, Jan. Stella will no
doubt find work as a service
dog as well and is currently in
obedience training. Barb's legacy will
live on through these dogs bringing joy
and independence in the lives
of handicapped people. Barb, we will
not forget you and Sterling is
not going to let you down.
Thank You Barb, from the bottom of
our hearts and we will miss you.
