{"id":2551,"date":"2023-09-12T10:44:24","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=2551"},"modified":"2023-09-12T10:44:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:44:24","slug":"service-dog-got-his-owner-through-grad-school-so-the-university-gave-him-his-own-degree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=2551","title":{"rendered":"Service dog got his owner through grad school, so the university gave him his own degree"},"content":{"rendered":"

Service dogs<\/a>\u00a0can be invaluable companions to people who need them. Not only can they provide\u00a0medical and emotional help<\/a>, they also just make great, loyal pets,\u00a0by your side when you need them most<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So after one loyal service dog stayed by his human\u2019s side throughout grad school, the university decided he was worthy of a major honor.<\/p>\n

Brittany Hawley, from Wilson, North Carolina, uses a wheelchair and suffers from a condition called complex regional pain syndrome. She was the perfect candidate for a service dog, and a few years ago received one through the paws4prisons program.<\/p>\n

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When she met a dog named Griffin, she knew he was the one: \u201cSome dogs were scared of the wheelchair,\u201d Brittany told\u00a0AP<\/a>. \u201cGriffin jumped right into my lap and licked me across the face.\u201d<\/p>\n

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GRIFFIN really enjoyed his time at the Indians\u2019 game during the #MWUSA week, and Brittany Hawley,\u2026<\/p>\n

Posted by\u00a0Ms. Wheelchair USA<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Tuesday, July 23, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Griffin came into her life just as she was about to embark on an exciting new journey: attending Clarkson University to get her master\u2019s degree in occupational therapy.<\/p>\n

The dog proved his worth: he was able to go to all of Brittany\u2019s classes, and helped her by doing things like opening doors and fetching supplies. He also proved to be a comforting friends during periods of anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt more independent, I was more social, I felt more outgoing with him,\u201d Brittany told\u00a0CBS News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Tune in to NBC News World during the 6 o\u2019clock hour to see our own Brittany and GRIFFIN! Brittany and GRIFFIN recently\u2026<\/p>\n

Posted by\u00a0paws4people foundation<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Tuesday, December 18, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Brittany and Griffin continued to thrive at Clarkson, and in late 2018 Brittany was ready to graduate.<\/p>\n

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But she knew she couldn\u2019t have done it without her service dog\u2026 and knew she couldn\u2019t celebrate without him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe moved to New York together, we started school together and we finished together,\u201d Brittany said.<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t just want him by her side, however\u2014she wanted him to have his own degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cI pushed from day one, when I graduate, I want Griffin to graduate with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Posted by\u00a0Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina USA<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0Saturday, December 15, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Remarkably, the university agreed\u2014and Griffin got to walk across the stage and accept his own honorary degree for \u201cextraordinary contributions to student success.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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,\u201d Clarkson\u00a0said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two have pursued 100% together a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy attending all the same classes, lectures, faculty appointments \u2026 fully making Griffin an equal member of the Clarkson Golden Knights family.\u201d<\/p>\n

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