‘Without her I wouldn’t be as resilient as I’ve been’

Woman’s support Chihuahua will walk in SCSU commencement

NEW HAVEN – A 10pound chihuahua will walk at commencement with Southern Connecticut State University’s class of 2022, complete with a black cap and gown as she accompanies her human “mom” who relies on the dog to quell panic attacks.

It’s believed to be a first at an SCSU commencement, a university spokesman said, but it’s apropos since the dog, Monroe, attended classes five days a week with Nicole Coffey, 31, of West

Haven.

“I’m very proud to have Monroe walk with me,” Coffey said. “She is my best friend. Without her I wouldn’t be as resilient as I’ve been.”

Coffey has post-traumatic stress disorder from several events in life and has relied on the dog to get her through panic attacks when something in the environment triggers her PTSD.

A domestic violence survivor, Coffey has a brain injury with short-term memory loss from an elevator accident in 2017 and is battling early-stage colon cancer.

Coffey not only earned her degree in sociology, but did it with a 4.0 GPA, making the dean’s list and receiving a new award, “Top Scholar of Sociology.”

“I’m actually quite shocked that I’m about to get a (bachelor’s) degree – I didn’t think I’d be successful,” she said. She earned an associate degree from Gateway Community College in 2015, but took five years off.

With Monroe at her side, Coffey is getting through the challenges.

Monroe, named for late movie star Marilyn Monroe, is so intuitive and skilled that when she senses or sees the signs of Coffey having a panic attack, she jumps on Coffey’s lap and compresses her chest for comfort.

“I feel like such a proud dog-mom,” Coffey said. “Everybody loves her. She’s such a calming dog even though she’s a Chihuahua.”

Monroe, 2, originally was classified as an “emotional support dog,” but then was upgraded to a service dog so she can go everywhere with Coffey.

They practiced recently for the May 20 commencement and the only problem Coffey had with Monroe was keeping the dog’s cap on. Monroe wore a black tutu, as her gown is on order.

Monroe has been of support to other students along the way, including at Coffey’s campus internship at the Violence Prevention, Victim Advocacy and Support Center, Coffey said.

“Her personality is so calming, comforting and empathic,” Coffey said of Monroe. “She’s so good at what she does. Having her in my life has changed everything.”

Associate professor of sociology Gregory Adams said Coffey is an amazing student who “thrives on intellectual curiosity.”

“What I see in Nicole is someone who wants her empathy to be of service to others,” Adams said. Coffey will go for a master’s degree in social work, in hopes, she said, of being an advocate for women who are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

In addition to her PTSD, Coffey said her brain injury has given her issues, including affecting her shortterm memory. She credits SCSU disability services with helping her succeed.

“I’m very resilient. I’ve faced many things that were made to break me, but they didn’t,” she said. “You just have to keep pushing. That positive mindset, being willing to fail and start over again.”

Contributed photo Nicole Coffey of West Haven and her service dog Monroe.

Contributed photos Monroe, a Chihuahua who will walk at commencement with the class of 2022, as his human, Nicole Coffey, is graduating. Monroe had to practice with a tutu, as her gown was waiting to be delivered.