Sheboygan County boy, dog share special bond over shared adversity
PLYMOUTH, Wis. (WFRV) – Even before their epic, surprise meeting at a local airport, it seemed like Brendyn Rochon and Kinley were meant to find each other.
Brendyn lost his hand last summer after falling off a dirt bike and getting it caught underneath a neighbor’s lawnmower. He is six years old and is in kindergarten.
Kinley, who is Brendyn’s new dog and best friend, has only three legs.
Despite their circumstances, both dog and boy are perpetually positive, filled with energy, and always have smiles on their faces.
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“I think for both of them it’s a positive boost and they can learn from each other and get through this together,” said Brendyn’s father Jeff. “His smile, his positive attitude, it’s truly inspirational.”
Recently Brendyn told his parents that he wanted a dog that looked like him. After scouring the internet for a match, his parents came across Kinley saying they instantly knew she was the dog that Brendyn needed.
“The situation we’re in with his amputation, you see a dog like that and it hits different in your heart,” said Jeff Rochon. “I think it might be a pickup for Brendyn to see how she gets around and see how happy she is.”
The problem was Kinley was in Georgia and the Rochons live in Sheboygan County. That’s where the people at ‘The Hope Highway’ in Appleton came in.
According to its website, the organization rescues and re-homes dogs. The organization’s president Jill Brauer was able to arrange for Kinley to get a flight from Georgia to Outagamie County free of charge to the family.
Brauer and Brendyn’s parents were able to arrange a surprise meeting for Kinley and Brendyn. His parents said they told their son that he was going to the airport to see some airplanes.
“The look on his face when he saw Kinley and Kinley knowing exactly who her human was, it was magic,” said Brauer. “I think we all became so emotional that time froze for a moment because he looked at his dad and said is this my dream come true.”
Kinley is now with Brendyn’s family in Plymouth, a forever home with her new forever best friend Brendyn.
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“These dogs have such amazing power and they bring peace and they bring love and they bring acceptance,” said Brauer. “Dogs bring a joy to people that sometimes we miss in the human world.”
Hope Highway is having a fundraiser to collect money to help Brendyn’s family with medical costs associated with his hand and to help Kinley get a prosthetic leg. Those interested in donating to help out can contact ‘The Hope Highway‘ or visit their website. Their Venmo, where Brauer said they’ll be accepting donations, is @HopeHighway.
