‘He makes my spirit better’
West Haven woman finds ‘perfect’ puppy for service dog
WEST HAVEN — Gabby Murillo said she felt dispirited after encountering multiple closed doors in her search for a service dog. Now, her golden Lab mix Bravo opens those doors for her — literally.
Murillo was in Orlando, Fla., participating in her dream internship at Disney in 2019 when a vehicle struck the vehicle she was riding in from behind. Murillo suffered a spinal injury and was placed on a ventilator in the immediate aftermath and underwent multiple surgeries. She was left paralyzed from her shoulders down.
The community rallied around Murillo and her family, contributing $80,000 toward a remodel of their home so that Murillo could access her bedroom in her electric wheelchair, which she operates through the use of a straw. Although Murillo has the ability to move around in her chair, she remained heavily dependant upon family and caretakers for many things, such as brushing her teeth or opening doors.
Murillo, now 25, sought to become more independent by obtaining a service dog, but she became discouraged after an organization based in Massachusetts said she was ineligible because she cannot use her arms. Murillo said she applied to that organization in 2020 and waited two years just to learn the news.
Then, one of her sister’s friends told her about Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities, based in Torrington.
Lu Picard, co-founder of ECAD, said the organization partners clients with multiple dogs over the course of a training to see which ones end up in the most natural pairs. That was not the case for Murillo and Bravo.
“I knew it would be Bravo for Gabby and that was it,” she said. “He fell goo-goo eyes in love with her within three days of her being here. He fell in love at first sight, because she has charisma pouring out of her. He’ll get a bone and chew it as close to her as possible, because he wants to be right on top of her.”
Picard said Murillo’s inability to use her arms was not a dealbreaker, but it does present a significant challenge if a dog cannot retrieve something that can easily be grabbed by his human companion. It is important for service dogs to be matched with a human when they are still puppies, before they form any significant bonds with anyone other than their human companion, but meeting the needs of someone without the use of their arms requires a special dog.
“It was really finding the right dog that can be patient and steady with her, but eager to work,” Picard said. “All my dogs can retrieve to your hand or drop something on a counter, but to refine it to bring it to your mouth took more time and patience on the dog’s part and trainer’s part.”
One of the most important instruments for Murillo is a long stylus that she controls with her mouth that allows her to use her phone for texting, using the Internet, drawing and more. Picard said the sustained eye contact required to transfer something into a person’s mouth can make most dogs uncomfortable, as it is perceived as staring. Other 19month-old dogs like Bravo also lack his gentleness; sometimes Murillo’s legs may spasm and fall out of her chair’s footholds, and it is Bravo’s job to patiently guide her feet back without applying too much force or pressure.
Murillo said Bravo also has freed up a lot of her mother’s time, as in the past she would need to get her attention if something were to happen like dropping her stylus. She said she now can go outside in her chair without needing as much assistance. Murillo said Bravo also is capable of opening doors at medical appointments by pressing up against handicapaccessible electric door signals.
Although he is a trained, working dog, it’s easy to see Bravo is still a puppy, as he walks with a bounce in his step when ordered to retrieve Murillo’s stylus. On an abnormally warm November day, Bravo spent most of a roughly 30-minute interview either with his head resting gently against Murillo’s foot or sleepily soaking in rays of sun streaming in
through windows.
“Not every golden or Labrador retriever can become a service dog. He can’t chase squirrels and has to ignore the public. He can’t decide to no longer do it, he can’t bark at strangers or bark at medical assistants coming to help her,” Picard said. “Gabby gives really great attention. She just needs to put her chair on high and go and give that dog the exercise he needs.”
Picard said that, because Murillo cannot hold a leash, there had been concerns about whether Bravo may stay close to her if they get separated from their magnet. However, she said Bravo is so bonded to Murillo that he follows her everywhere.
“He wants her,” she said. Murillo said that, beyond the utility of having a dog who can retrieve objects for her and keep her positioned in her chair, she
also gained a companion. Although she grew up with a pug as a family dog, she said she used to beg for a bigger dog.
“We are 100 percent bonded, especially when we’re snuggling together. He’s a puppy who wants to play ball and run,” she said. “He makes my spirit better. It makes me want to wake up in the morning.”
Picard said she believes Murillo’s positive mindset was key in endearing Bravo and her to one another. However, Murillo said it was not always like that. Following the vehicle collision that led to her paralysis, Murillo said she relied heavily on positive thinking and faith to manage symptoms of depression.
Today, Murillo said her mood is better than ever now that she has Bravo for assistance, comfort and companionship.
“I think he’s perfect,” she said.