{"id":305741,"date":"2026-05-23T08:58:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T08:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/305741\/"},"modified":"2026-05-23T08:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T08:58:15","slug":"adorable-service-dog-gets-own-diploma-at-texas-tech-commencement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/305741\/","title":{"rendered":"Adorable Service Dog Gets Own Diploma at Texas Tech Commencement"},"content":{"rendered":"

It was an unexpected, yet special surprise, when one service dog received her own \u201cdiploma\u201d during a recent commencement ceremony. <\/a><\/p>\n

At Texas Tech University\u2019s May 16 commencement, service dog Sadie was given a \u201cspecial treat for a sweet doggo\u201d and the moment stole the hearts of many in person and online. <\/p>\n

In video shared by the university on Instagram<\/a>, graduating student Makaela Muse accepts her diploma before Sadie, in her own matching gown, gets handed her own diploma by President Lawrence Schovanec.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was not aware it was happening,\u201d Muse tells TODAY.com about the now-viral moment. \u201cThe staff actually brought me through a side door for the arena, away from the rest of the graduates, and I was introduced to all the regents and everybody except the president.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I knew something was up because everybody had these knowing smiles,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Muse was paired with Sadie, a Swiss Shepherd, when the pup was about 6 weeks old. Sadie turns five in August. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been together a very long time,\u201d Muse says, adding that the day of the commencement ceremony, Sadie \u201cwas just as wound up and excited as I was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe knew I was excited and she was like, \u2018What are we doing? How can we do it? Let\u2019s do this!\u2019 and I was like, \u2018Oh geez!\u2019\u201d Muse adds. <\/p>\n

Additionally, Muse shares that the adorable matching gown Sadie wore was made by her mom. <\/p>\n

\u201c(Sadie) had a cap too, but she refused,\u201d Muse says, adding that the pup \u201ctolerated it for about 60 seconds\u201d before shaking the cap off. <\/p>\n

\"SadieSadie frequently attended classes with Muse and was a regular on campus.Courtesy Makaela Muse<\/p>\n

Muse had brought her own raw hide to take photos with Sadie afterwards and her uncle had been holding on to it. She calls it \u201cinsane\u201d that the bone made its way on stage. <\/p>\n

After Sadie got her \u201cdiploma,\u201d she \u201cimmediately\u201d looked for a place to lay down and enjoy her treat. <\/p>\n

\u201c(She) kept setting it on the carpet so that she could lay down, except we had to walk through the line and shake everybody\u2019s hands,\u201d Muse says with a laugh, \u201cI ended up having to pick it up like three times.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Muse appreciates about Sadie is her intuitiveness and her ability to detect chemical changes. \u201cShe just is on top of things, she\u2019s amazing,\u201d Muse says, quipping, \u201cShe\u2019s honestly smarter than I am most days.\u201d<\/p>\n

People couldn\u2019t get enough of the heartwarming moment, leaving supportive comments on the Instagram post.<\/p>\n

\u201c(She) got his degree in security services and bark administration. With honors,\u201d one person commented, with another adding, \u201cCan\u2019t wait until (she) gets his Dogtorate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCongrats on your Doctor of Pawlosophy! Well deserved. Campus hero,\u201d someone commented.<\/p>\n

Another comment included a teary eye emoji and wrote, \u201cA Dogree if you will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Muse, who considers herself an introvert, calls the attention she and Sadie have received \u201cpretty insane.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graduating from the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a minor in chemistry and an equine certificate, Muse is now submitting applications to the Texas Tech Veterinary School in hopes of becoming a large animal veterinarian.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never would have gotten this far with Sadie if it wasn\u2019t for Texas Tech and all of their amazing support,\u201d she says about her time at the university and commencement. \u201cSo props to them.\u201d<\/p>\n