Though Max hadn't started out that way, now he's helping Frank through his ordeal anyway. So maybe he is a service animal of sorts, which only makes him feel more indebted to the dog overall. Connor thinks he's accommodating Frank, but all he knows of ASL are key phrases and the alphabet. Though he does know "dog" because of course he does. Frank manages a shrug as Max sniffs at the man only to lean back in to lick his hand a second later in apparent approval.

M-A-X, he signs, after parsing through the rest of the words by reading Connor's lips and picking up context clues. Connor is close enough to read the brass plate on Max's collar bearing his name as well now, too. The smaller text below that asks anyone who might find him roaming to bring him to Frank's room on Deck 6 or Karen's on Deck 3. He taps out a new message while Connor is busy with the dog. i think he likes you