Popcorn Stand: Dog has his day

THIS. IS. AWESOME. And I hope it sets a precedent. I hope they start giving doggie diplomas at universities across the country.

Those of you who choose to read this Popcorn Stand know about my love for dogs. So when I read this story, my heart melted. And I have to admit I shed a couple of tears, too.

Grace Mariani recently graduated from Seton Hall University. With her service dog, Justin right beside her.

When Seton Hall president Joseph Nyre gave Mariani her diploma, her fellow graduates cheered. Mariani earned a B.S. in education, graduating magna cum laude.

Then came the wonderful part. Nyre held out a diploma for Justin. The crowd at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., erupted. Mariani was all smiles. Ahhhhhhhh.

Here’s a link showing a 19-second clip of Justin receiving his degree: https://www.npr. org/2023/05/27/1178478110/service-dog-collegediploma

It will be the best 19 seconds of your life. I have to admit I can’t stop watching it over and over again and I shed a few tears every time I watch it.

Justin was a little reluctant at first to receive his diploma. He seemed to look at Mariani at first to make sure it was OK with her. But then Justin graciously accepted his degree. And the reaction of Nyre after Justin was willing to receive his diploma was priceless.

And don’t think for a second Justin didn’t earn his diploma. The 6-year-old Lab-golden Retriever mix attended EVERY class with Mariani while she was at Seton Hall.

Mariani plans to teach in elementary and special education. I’m sure Justin will be with her every step of the way, with her in the classroom with every class she teaches.

I have to admit and it’s not logical but if Seton Hall makes the NCAA Basketball Tournament next year and is a part of March Madness, I’ll be rooting for the Pirates. After all, a university that gives a dog an honorary degree can’t be all that bad.

Here comes the tangent. I wouldn’t know about Seton Hall if it wasn’t for college basketball. Kind of like Gonzaga.

Jimmy Kimmel jokes every year around March Madness time he believes Gonzaga actually doesn’t exist as it’s only mentioned, well, come March Madness time and that the only thing the school is know for is basketball. Well, it’s also known as the school Bing Crosby went to.

And Kimmel should talk because the only thing his favorite college, UNLV, is known for is basketball.

But now I will always know Seton Hall as the university that gave a dog a degree. Although it’s not unprecedented.

The University of West Georgia awarded an honorary degree to a service dog in 2020. And there’s actually a dog with a doctorate.

Moose at Virginia Tech, an 8-year-old therapy dog, received an honorary doctorate in veterinary medicine for helping thousands of students cope with mental health issues. Well deserved.

Ok he actually earned a “dogtorate.” I know. I know. My understanding even though Moose received his degree in 2020 during a virtual ceremony there was still a lot of “pup” and circumstance. I can’t help myself.

Dogs rule. They can do anything. There have been cities who have actually allowed a dog to symbolically serve as mayor for a day. I would love to see the city of Porterville do that.

Although the last time I suggested that when I wrote for the Nevada Appeal in Carson City, Nev., I got myself in trouble as someone with the city pointed out it takes a lot of work and commitment to serve as a city official in any way. Of course I know that.

But I also know we should acknowledge everything not just dogs, but all of over beloved animals do for us.

You don’t need a degree for that.