A service dog who snoozed through lectures and skipped the homework has gone viral after graduating alongside her owner – complete with her own “dogploma”.
Animal science student Makaela Muse walked across the stage to collect her degree with loyal white German Shepherd Sadie by her side after years helping her through serious health problems.
The pair wore matching graduation robes as they approached university president Lawrence Schovanec during the May commencement ceremony, as reported by What’s The Jam.
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But after shaking Muse’s hand, Schovanec suddenly turned around and pulled out a surprise for Sadie from behind a row of greenery – a rawhide bone tied with a red ribbon.
He handed the treat to the dog as the crowd cheered and Sadie happily accepted her unofficial “dogploma”.
A video shared to social media has racked up over 12.5m views, more than 679,000 likes and 2,362 comments.
Social media users praised the university for recognising the role Sadie played in getting Muse through her degree.
Muse, from Abernathy, came to Texas Tech hoping to become a large-animal vet.
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But during her first year, she collapsed in an anatomy lab and was later diagnosed with rare genetic conditions needing ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Soon after, Sadie began specialist training as a medical service dog.
“After that, she started going with me everywhere, because I wasn’t allowed to be alone anymore,” Muse said.
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She admitted getting used to having a service dog was tough at first, especially with strangers constantly stopping her to ask questions.
“It’s like always being on display; it gets kind of exhausting,” she explained.
But Muse said Sadie became the reason she was able to stay at university safely.
“Yes, it’s what kept me in school and breathing.”
Things became even tougher when Muse’s father Joe – who helped train Sadie from when she was a puppy – was diagnosed with cancer.
He died just three days after she completed her medical treatment.
“That was a challenge because she’s a daddy’s girl,” her mother Sara said. “And with her conditions and his passing, there was just so much going on, and she still managed to get through school quickly.”
Sadie attended every lecture, study session and lab with her owner – even wearing protective gear during chemistry practicals.
Muse said staff at Texas Tech were hugely supportive, with some lecturers greeting Sadie every morning before class.
But she never expected the graduation surprise.
“I was just speechless,” she said. “I was so surprised, and I just felt overwhelming gratefulness. I will never forget that.”
Schovanec later praised Muse’s determination.
“Behind every student who walks across the commencement stage is a story filled with challenges overcome, sacrifices made and people who helped make that moment possible,” he said.
One user said: “He got his degree in security services and bark administration. With honors.”
Another user joked: “Awww… look at him graduate after all those hard classes.”
Another person added: “Can’t wait until he gets his Dogtorate.”
Grace said: “A good boy.”
Texas Tech Students with Service Dogs also shared a message online.
“We are so proud of Makaela! She was a treasured member of Tech Students with Service Dogs (TSSD) a student organization on campus dedicated to creating a community for students and their service pals!
“We have graduated so many of our members that our organization is unfortunately no longer active. We hope one day students will pick it back up again, and continue our mission.”
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