A service dog is a valued working partner and companion to more than 80 million Americans. They can provide medical and emotional help, and they will always be by your side.
Meet Griffin, the service dog who stayed by his human’s side through grad school and even got a university degree!
Brittany Hawley, from Wilson, North Carolina, suffers from a complex regional pain syndrome and uses a wheelchair. She was the ideal candidate for a service dog and received one through the paws4prisons program just a few years ago.
GRIFFIN really enjoyed his time at the Indians’ game during the #MWUSA week, and Brittany Hawley,…
Posted by Ms. Wheelchair USA on Tuesday, July 23, 2019
When Brittany met Griffin for the first time, she knew he was the one. He jumped right into her lap and even licked her face.
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When Griffin came into her life, she was preparing for an exciting new journey: attending Clarkson University.
The dog proved to be the best service dog. He accompanied Brittany through her classes and even helped her by opening doors and fetching supplies. He also proved to be a good friend during periods of depression and anxiety.
Thanks to Griffin, Brittany felt more independent, more social and outgoing.
As she was getting ready to graduate, she knew she couldn’t have done it without her service dog.
Brittany didn’t just want him by her side, she wanted him to have his own degree as well.
Luckily, the university agreed and the service dog accepted his own honorary degree for “extraordinary contributions to student success.”
After graduation, Brittany will fulfill her dream of becoming an occupational therapist. She would like to work with veterans and other military people, but with her dog by her side.
Griffin is of a major honor. He definitely earned the degree!
