4-Year-Old Golden Retriever Earns University Diploma!
Dogs are known to be smart. And now, someone from their pack, a 4-year-old golden retriever named Griffin, can say that he has an official proof of his intelligence. How? He earned himself a diploma!
Griffin Performs Some Simple Tasks For Brittany
When Brittany Hawley, Griffin’s owner, was a teenager, it was detected that she had reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (CRPS/RSD).
This causes her to suffer from swelling and prolonged and severe pain. As well as skin color and skin temperature changes.
Brittany suffers from chronic pain and uses a wheelchair. So Griffin is there to perform some tasks for her. This includes turning the lights on, opening the doors and fetching the items that she points at using her laser pointer.
Most importantly, Griffin helps alleviate his owner’s anxiety and depression.
Griffin Heads Off To University!
Griffin is always with Brittany, even when she goes to class at the Clarkson University in Potsdam. This is the university where Brittany took her master’s degree in occupational therapy.
Brittany said that Griffin did everything that she did in the school. They even worked together during the internship at Fort Bragg. There, they both helped soldiers that have psycho-social disorders, as well as those with difficulties in mobility.
Griffin Is Presented With His Own Honorary Diploma
Therefore, as Brittany received her diploma during the December Recognition Ceremony, Griffin was presented with his own honorary diploma too.
The university’s board of trustees said that Griffin showed an extraordinary effort and diligent dedication. And all that effort and dedication definitely helped in Brittany’s success.
How paws4people Helps Inmates In West Virginia
Griffin is a service dog from paws4people. This is a nonprofit organization that teaches West Virginia prison inmates to train dogs to give assistance to people with disabilities.
They allow dogs to come and choose their owner. When Brittany and Griffin met, the dog immediately jumped to her lap and licked her face, indicating that he already chose her.
Brittany Says That Griffin Will Be Part Of The Package Too!
Currently, Brittany is reviewing for her board exams. And when she applies for a job, Brittany says that Griffin will be part of the package too.
Courtesy: ClarksonUPhotos
