Bella Burton was born with Morquio syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects her bones and greatly limits her mobility. She’s undergone multiple surgeries and myriad therapies, but the 11-year-old still struggled to walk on her own, always requiring crutches or a wheelchair to get around.
But all that changed after Bella met George — her Great Dane and best friend.
“I lean on him like a crutch,†Bella told ABC News of her canine companion.
And that’s not just figurative.
George, a service dog who was trained at Service Dog Project in Ipswich, Massachusetts, accompanies Bella wherever she goes. Bella uses the dog’s large body as a support, and walks confidently alongside him.
“I had wheelchairs, walkers, Canadian crutches, regular crutches and then we got George and I dropped my crutches and started to use him,†Bella told WCVB.