Service Dog Receives College Diploma

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/service-dog-receives-college-diploma.html

Cherise UdellMay 21, 20144:00 pm

This year about 2,500 students just graduated from Idaho State University. Embracing the rite-of-passage of the newly-educated, most also participated in a commencement ceremony to receive their hard-earned diplomas. But unlike previous years, college graduates at Idaho State this spring were joined by a black and white pit bull who also walked the stage to accept a diploma.

The dog, Cletus, is a service dog and he walked the stage not for his own diploma, but that of his late owner, Josh Kelly, who passed away in February.

Kelly suffered from epilepsy and had been a part-time student at ISU for many years diligently working on his Bachelor of Science degree in Geoscience. The disease claimed his life before the commencement ceremony, so his father, Terrell Kelly and loyal canine, Cletus, stood in his stead at the May 10th graduation. The elder Kelly joked that Cletus went to all of the same classes his son did, so he probably deserves half that degree.

Unable to drive, Josh and his faithful companion would walk nearly two miles Monday through Friday, rain or shine, to catch a 6:30am bus to ISU. Occasionally on this journey from Idaho Falls to Pocatello, Josh would be suddenly overcome by a grand mal seizure. Cletus was always by his side ready to alert others of his owner’s urgent need for medical help.

FULL story at link.

[baldguy]

1. Good dog, Cletus. Good dog.

[shenmue]

2. Woof!

Who's a good boy? You are! Yes, you are!

[2naSalit]

3. That's

my alma mater, Josh and his family have a cabin up near where I live. I didn't know Josh but knew of him and know a few of his friends who live here. Sad story but a good service dog story. While I was at the U, there were a few students who had seizure alert dogs. Glad this one was honored.