At the age of 2, young Bella Burton was diagnosed with Morquio syndrome, an inherited condition which prevents her body from producing a necessary enzyme. The result is a buildup of sugar molecules that adversely impacts bone development and growth. It's estimated that the syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 200,000 births.
For Bella, that meant a difficult childhood including nine major surgeries, two of which were reconstructions of her hips and her feet. She was confined to movement on crutches, but she relied on them to swing her legs rather than using them to walk. Bella's parents feared that she was losing muscle mass in her lower body.
All of that changed when George arrived.
The Burton family heard about the Service Dog Project in Ipswich, Massachusetts, an organization that trains and donates Great Danes to be service dogs specifically for people with mobility issues. The breed has the perfect height and size, and an excellent temperament, making them ideal for the job.
“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?’” Rachel Burton recalled.
“When she was visiting George and he didn’t want her to leave his kennel, they were like, let’s try them," Burton said.
It didn't take long for George to make himself at home with the Burtons, but more amazing was the impact he had on the now 11-year-old Bella. He could easily guide her, so she ditched her crutches and started to walk with George's help and steady guidance.
Burton notes, “She leans on him for support like she would if she used one crutch. But it’s much more exciting when it’s a dog than a crutch."
George accompanies Bella everywhere --- to school, to her medical appointments, and even to her bedroom where he curls up to sleep next to her every night.
“At first, he did not like it when she would get her IV put in. He would want to get up and protect her. But then he realized it had to be done,” Burton stated.
Bella will always have challenged associated with this syndrome, but with George by her side, she can fight through anything that comes her way! You can follow their adventures on their Facebook page.
“He’s totally a member of the family now,” Burton said.
Recently, George was awarded a Best Day Ever from BARK magazine, and we agree that if any dog deserves it, it's George! Watch the video below of George's special relationship with Bella and his enjoyment at getting a Best Day Ever.
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