The student’s service dog named Justin receives his own college degree
To retrieve! Justin, a New Jersey student’s service dog, receives his own college diploma for attending all of his wheelchair-bound owner’s classes
- In the adorable clip, Justin was seen walking alongside his owner as he received a diploma from University President Joseph E. Nyre
- Mariani, who is a wheelchair user, graduated with a bachelor of science in education and now she plans to teach elementary school children
A New Jersey student’s service dog earned his own college degree after attending all of his owner’s classes.
Grace Mariani of Mahwah, New Jersey, was accompanied by Justin during her college days at Seton Hall — and her Labrador golden retriever was also rewarded for his dedication and time.
Mariani, who is a wheelchair user, graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education and now plans to teach elementary school children.
In the adorable clip, four-legged Justin walked alongside his owner as he received a diploma from University President Joseph E. Nyre.
He sniffed it before taking it happily in his mouth.
Grace Mariani of Mahwah, New Jersey, was joined by Justin during her time at Seton Hall — and the Labrador golden retriever was rewarded for his time
The good boy took the diploma in his mouth as his owner wore her cap and dress
The pair left the stage as the audience roared after their performance.
Grace Mariani with her service dog
Seton Hall wrote on social media, “Seton Hall President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. gives Justin, Grace Mariani’s service dog, of Mahwah, NJ, a certificate for attending all of Grace’s classes at Seton Hall.”
One person wrote online, “This is awesome!” while another said, ‘You’re both amazing. Congratulations.’
A third benefactor said, “OMG! I love it! Justin certainly deserved a degree too.’
Justin is a service dog from Canine Companions.
They told CNN, “When Grace was paired with service dog Justin from Canine Companions, she said her dream was to go to college and become a teacher.
“She shared that with Justin by her side, she has the best chance of a successful, independent life.”
First he sniffed the sandwich before taking it in his mouth and walking across the stage
It’s not the first time this graduation season that crowds of family and friends have bought the house because of the determination and courage of students who received their diplomas.
In Virginia, a paralyzed shooting victim received an emotional standing ovation from cheering crowds as he walked across the stage to retrieve his community college diploma using a robotic exoskeleton.
Khalil Watson, 25, of Henrico, Virginia, was paralyzed from the neck down after being shot seven years ago before graduating from high school.
Now he has an associate’s degree in pre-social work from Reynolds Community College in Richmond and was able to walk across the stage to collect his own degree thanks to a robotic exoskeleton attached to his body.
There was a standing ovation from the whole house when his name was called – as his fellow graduates and spectators cheered and applauded in the crowd for his sensational performance.
He rose from his wheelchair, settled down, and then used the groundbreaking technology to walk across the platform and receive his certificate.