Whenever Brittany Hawley went to class, her loyal service dog Griffin was there. If she needed her cell phone, Griffin would fetch it. Even when she assisted patients as part of an internship, Griffin was there helping out as well.

So it’s only fitting that when Ms. Hawley was honoured for receiving her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Clarkson University over the weekend, Griffin was once again at her side with an honorary diploma of his own.

“I pushed for him to graduate from Day One,” Ms. Hawley said Monday. “He did everything I did.”

Clarkson University President Tony Collins (left) presents the honorary diploma to Griffin, the Golden Retriever service dog. | Photo Credit: AP

The board of trustees of the Potsdam, New York, school honoured the 4-year-old golden retriever at a recognition ceremony on Saturday, saying he demonstrated “extraordinary effort, steadfast commitment and diligent dedication to the well-being and student success” of Ms. Hawley.

“The inmates allow many dogs to come up to you and let the dog choose you,” Ms. Hawley said. “Some dogs were scared of the wheelchair. Griffin jumped right into my lap and licked me across the face.”

“My patients would say, ‘My therapist today is Brittany and Griffin,’” she said, adding that when she applies for jobs, she and Griffin will be a package deal.

“I couldn’t participate in anything without him,” she said. “I’m so used to him being there.”