Lean on me: Girl, 11, with genetic condition which left her unable to walk takes her first steps in nine years with the help of her pet Great Dane George

Bella, 11, has suffered from Morquio Syndrome since the age of two
It leads to stunted growth and makes it difficult for her to walk
George, her service dog, has given her a new lease of life allowing her to move without her crutches or a wheelchair
The Great Dane goes everywhere with her – including school
The dog has even received an award from the American Kennel Club

Bella Burton, 11, from Woburn, Massachusetts, was born with Morquio Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects her bone growth and limits her mobility. And even after undergoing more than ten surgeries and endless physical therapy, it was still a struggle for her to walk without crutches or a wheelchair.

But thanks to the support of her beloved pooch George, a 130-pound Great Dane service dog, the youngster is finally able to move around on her own.
Me and my dog: Meet Bella and George: a sweet little girl and her giant Great Dane. The pair do everything together. Bella, who has mobility issues, is able to walk with confidence thanks to George
Best foot forward: Until she met George, her service dog, she was forced to use crutches or even a wheelchair to get around, but neither felt like the perfect fit. Now her dog is helping her do just that

George who is the same height as Bella, but three times her weight, was trained at the Service Dog Project in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
In Bella’s case, George was first introduced to her last year and has helped improve Bella’s mobility along with her morale more than any other therapy she’s undergone.