Canine learners cross the graduation stage at MHC

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 23, 2024.

Picture of the Service Dog and Canine Studies Management students on the MHC theatre stage. News Photo: Anna Smith

Some of Medicine Hat College’s furriest students crossed the stage on Friday, as seven service dogs in the Service Dog and Canine Studies Management course attended their own convocation.

The day was a moment of reflection, triumph and perhaps a bit of sadness, said program coordinator Marissa Jordan.

Over the past 13 months, students have helped the pups learn the basics of existing within someone’s home, their preliminary obedience training, and they are now moving on to learn their specialized tasks to become full service animals.

“In the past months, we’ve seen these puppies transform from mischievous bundles of energy to keep us on our toes, teenagers and eventually to our poised graduates that we see here today,” said Jordan.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who’s made this day in the past 13 months possible.

“Dogs with Wings, Summit Service Dogs and the Lions Foundation Dog Guides, for trusting us with these incredible pups,” said Jordan. “To our faculty, thank you for your wisdom and dedication and for somehow resisting the urge to snuggle our furry learners.”

The program itself has a cohort of human students as well, though they still have classes on their plate, with business and marketing work in addition to training their canine companions.

Canine students Gideon, Laker, Plum, Roxy, Summer, Sunny and Whitney will be sorely missed by students and staff alike once they return to the organizations they came from on Dec. 11.

Their impact on the students will linger for years to come, said students Paige Wagner and Hailey Paul, as will the connections they formed with their two-legged classmates.