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6-year-old Connor Guillet has suffered from a chromosomal disorder called DiGeorge syndrome his entire life. He bursts into inexplicable fits, experiences both physical and mental delays, and is completely unable to communicate verbally.
Connor’s parents, Brandi and Chad, knew their son loved dogs, so they felt that it would be helpful to have a dog at home. It would, they hoped, provide their son a little extra love and comfort.
Over the holidays, the Guillet family went to visit the Coastal Boxer Rescue’s foster program near their home.
There, Connor immediately fell in love with a 3-year-old boxer dog called Ellie. She was deaf, but responded to sign language – a perfect match for young Connor, who used sign language to communicate.
“When we met Ellie, it was like everything felt perfect,” Brandi remembered. “There was a trainer there who said [Ellie] knows sign commands. Connor kissed her face and I knew it was just meant to be.”
The Guillets took Ellie home that day to foster for a short period of time, and it only became more and more clear over time that Connor and Ellie were “best friends.”
They tired each other out on the trampoline in the backyard and snuggled together for naps afterward. If Connor suffered from a fit, Ellie would lick his face and remain by his side. “99 percent of the time,” Ellie is successful in calming Connor.
“He’s distracted and his mood instantly lifts with her kisses,” Brandi explained.
Brandi and Chad are now in the process of legally adopting Ellie, and can’t wait to officially and fully welcome her to their family.
“I can’t explain it, there is something extremely special about this dog,” Brandi said. She had trouble holding back her tears. “When Connor signs to her and tells her to sit or wags his finger like, ‘No, no’ it’s just so evident there is an amazing bond.
“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
You can watch Connor and Ellie interact with each other here:
