Service Dog Changes Teen’s Life After Teaching Her To Walk Again
There’s no shortage of exceptional abilities when it comes to dogs. That’s why they aren’t just great to have around but can also help change a person’s life dramatically.
They provide health benefits, including lower stress, increased happiness, and better health and well-being.
More than that, these canines are great companions and helpers for people suffering from disabilities.
You can train them to provide support and care precisely how you need them to. The tasks they usually perform help mitigate an individual’s disability.
Service dogs are proven to provide a greater level of safety and an increased level of mobility for the individuals they serve.
They also provide many emotional benefits, including a greater feeling of independence, companionship, motivation, and confidence in social settings.
As if all these aren’t enough, it seems that they may have some magical healing powers. They can put a massive smile on even the saddest person. We bet you’re already smiling just thinking about dogs.
Apparently, they can also help people with disorders learn how to walk again!
Don’t believe us? Then you have to read this awe-inspiring story of how a Great Dane helped a girl with Morquio syndrome walk again.
Check the story out down below!
The beautiful story of Bella and The Great Dane
Thirteen-year-old Bella Burton was born with a sporadic disorder called Morquio syndrome. As a result, she lost the ability to walk and never thought she could do it again.
Things changed for Bella when she met a two-year-old giant service dog named George. Just six months after they met, Bella was walking again.
According to the little girl;
My leg muscles got really weak, and it was hard to walk, but once I got George, it kind of forced me to walk. It didn’t seem like work; it kind of seemed just like hanging out with all my friends and the animals.
Meeting George
Bella was diagnosed with the ailment when she was only two years old. Since then, her family had tried different methods to improve her condition, but all to no avail.
However, they heard about service dogs and decided to give it a try. Bella was then introduced to George at the Service Dog Project in Ipswich, Massachusetts, where she volunteered.
Once we saw Bella being around those dogs, how she was always in such a great mood and she loved going there, we thought, ‘What are we waiting for?’ Bella’s mother said.
A match made in heaven
Although Bella loved animals, her previous encounters with dogs weren't great, as the dogs didn’t seem to like her at first — but George was different.
Soon, Bella and George became the best of friends. They were totally inseparable!
In her words;
I started to volunteer at the service dog project, and it was just fun because I got to spend time with all of my favorite animals all the time. I liked all of the dogs, but none of them really liked me. It’s because of my voice; it’s high-pitched. At first, he started to run off, and then slowly, after a while, he just stayed. And then I would be brushing him out, and he wouldn’t let me leave.
The greatest gift
Bella’s parents soon decided to take George home. At first, they started by taking him only on weekends and later permanently.
Little did they know that George would give their daughter one of the greatest gifts ever.
Besties for life
Thanks to George’s help, Bella is not only able to walk again; she now runs, swims, and can even ride a bicycle.
Bella riding her bike
This story is truly inspiring. Find out more about this amazing duo
Is there anything dogs can’t do? Because we’re yet to find any fault in these beautiful creatures.
Stories like this show how much we need to appreciate these canines. That’s why we can’t get enough of them, and from the look of things, you can’t either.
Did you find this story inspiring? Then don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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