Anyone who knows dogs knows that a helping paw can make all the difference. This is certainly the case for nine-year-old Natalie Fiorelli.
When Natalie was an infant, she suffered carbon-monoxide poisoning. Now, she uses a speech device to communicate, and a wheelchair and walker to help her get around.
Recently, thanks to an organization called CHAMP, Natalie got a friend who can make life a little bit easier (and a lot cuddlier).
CHAMP, which stands for “Canine Helps Allow More Possibilities,” is an organization that trains and provides families in need with service dogs.
Natalie's service dog is a Golden Retriever named Bentley, FOX 2 reported. Bentley provides Natalie with a sense of security, in addition to helping her with daily tasks, like picking up items.
While Natalie lives a relatively normal life (she's a great student and can carry on full conversations), she had been recently been experiencing anxiety and sleepless nights.
“She wanted to know, what was going to happen if we had a fire. What was going to happen in certain situations when she was in bed?” her mother, Julie Fiorelli told FOX 2.
Now, Bentley is lending a helping paw and making Natalie feel secure.
Way to go, Bentley!
Check out Natalie and Bentley in the video below.
Learn more about service dogs and the help they provide here.
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