Service dog honored alongside college graduate: 'Everybody was cheering'

By Yi-Jin Yu

When Cecilia Hernandez graduated from Rollins College earlier this month, she and her fellow students weren't the only ones who were honored onstage.

Hernandez's service dog Canela, who has been at her side for the past three and a half years, was also recognized with a special patch at the May 11 commencement ceremony.

"My service dog received a special patch for her vest in recognition of her hard work at graduation," the 22-year-old wrote in the caption of an Instagram post on May 13, alongside a video from the ceremony. "Having a service dog in chemistry is nearly unheard of. It required many, many training sessions just to get her used to wearing PPE. As I did research for an undergraduate thesis, this required even longer days in the lab."

Courtesy of Rollins College and Patrick Connolly

Cecilia Hernandez graduated from Rollins College on May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry alongside her service dog Canela.

"I am beyond grateful @rollinscollege provided such a wonderful campus and community, allowing me to thrive with my service dog by my side," she added.

Hernandez told ABC News that Rollins' recognition of Canela meant a lot to her.

"It was definitely a surprise. Everybody was cheering," the recent graduate said. "I was just so proud that I was able to make it this far with her."

Having Canela, a golden retriever, alongside her during her undergraduate career was a game-changer for Hernandez, who said she has faced health challenges including endometriosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiac issues over the years.

"My freshman year, I honestly thought that I wasn't going to make it to graduation," Hernandez said. "When I got Canela and we were training her, I was thinking to myself, like, 'This is going to work.'"

Courtesy of Cecilia Hernandez

When in the lab with Cecilia Hernandez, Canela wears protective equipment, including booties, goggles and a de-shedding vest.

Hernandez, who majored in chemistry and minored in English, trained Canela to accompany her and alert her of flare-ups, particularly inside the laboratory.

Canela, like Hernandez, has protective equipment specifically for the lab setting, from goggles and a de-shedding vest to close-toe booties.

"After training, we realized that she could and she did very well in the lab," said Hernandez. "So that allowed me to keep pursuing my passion in chemistry."

Hernandez said she is looking forward to continuing her studies after graduation and will pursue a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry at the University of Central Florida starting this fall.