They can be a great companion for people who require them. Service dogs can not only provide emotional and medical support, but they can also be loyal companions who are there for you when you most need them.
After a loyal service dog who accompanied his human throughout graduate school, the university decided that he was worthy if a significant honor.
Brittany Hawley from Wilson, North Carolina uses a wheelchair. She also suffers from complex regional painful syndrome. Brittany Hawley was a perfect candidate for a service animal and received one through the Paws4Prisons program a few years back.
When she met a dog named Griffin, she knew he was the one: “Some dogs were scared of the wheelchair,” Brittany told us. “Griffin jumped into my lap and licked me across the face.”
Griffin came into her life just as she was about to embark on an exciting new journey: attending Clarkson University to get her master’s degree in occupational therapy.
The dog proved his worth: he was able to go to all of Brittany’s classes and helped her by doing things like opening doors and fetching supplies. He was also a friend and comforter during times of anxiety or depression.
“I felt more independent, I was more social, I felt more outgoing with him,” Brittany told CBS News.
Brittany Griffin was a strong student at Clarkson. Brittany was ready and able to graduate in late 2018.
But she knew she couldn’t have done it without her service dog… and knew she couldn’t celebrate without him.
“We moved to New York together, we started school together and we finished together,” Brittany said.
She didn’t just want him by her side, however—she wanted him to have his own degree.
“I pushed from day one, when I graduate, I want Griffin to graduate with me.”
Remarkably, the university agreed—and Griffin got to walk across the stage and accept his own honorary degree for “extraordinary contributions to student success.”
“The Board of Trustees recognized that Griffin has demonstrated extraordinary effort, steadfast commitment, and diligent dedication to the wellbeing and student success of his owner Brittany,” Clarkson said in a statement.
“The two have pursued 100% together a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy attending all the same classes, lectures, faculty appointments … fully making Griffin an equal member of the Clarkson Golden Knights family.”
Brittany pursued her dream of becoming an occupational therapy specialist after graduation. She hopes to work with veterans as well as military personnel.
And of course, she’ll keep her loyal service dog right by her side.
“Whenever I get a job, he will be with me every single day,” Brittany said.
It was a fitting award for this loyal service dog! He certainly earned that degree!
It is clear to see the amazing impact service dogs have. This is an inspiring story.
