Graduation Tips for Service Dog Teams
As I am writing this post Eve and I graduated with my Masters and Credential to teach blind and low vision students last spring from San Francisco State University. Overall, it was a great experience, but I have some tips to make the day go more smoothly.
Lindsay and Eve sitting on a bench to take graduation photos.
Let your school’s disability office know that you will be graduating and bringing your guide dog. By letting your schools disability office know that you are graduating and will be using a guide dog may help in getting you further assistance to get through the larger crowds, or allowing you to sit at the end of a row so that you have more room for your dog.
Access to a relieving area during the ceremony: During the process of letting your school’s disability service office know that you will be graduating and bringing your guide dog along you may want to ask them if there is a designated area where you can relieve your dog if necessary.
You may want to use a bandana set to help your dog join in on the festivities. There are many bandana set’s or outfits that your dog can wear to join in on your festivities. I chose one from Etsy with the message My Mom Mastered It because I did not see such an outfit available in Eve’s size or my school’s colors.
Hooding advice: For those receiving their Masters or Doctorate, be advised that your hood usually is draped over your left arm, but for us guide dog handlers this is not possible. In this case what I ended up doing was draping my hood over my right arm and working Eve as normal. When it came to being hooded I passed off my hood to the person that was hooding me and kneeled down so I could be reached.
Bobby Pins will be your best friend: If you have long hair I recommend ensuring you have a few Bobby pins on hand, as you do not want to make my mistake and lose your cap as you are walking because you bent down to pick up your dog’s harness handle.
Walking the venue before the event: By walking the venue ahead of time it will help you and your dog become more acclimated to the space.
Photography and allowing your dog to be in some of your pictures: If your school does offer the option to take your picture before or after you walk the stage be sure to let the photographer know that you want your dog in some of the pictures ahead of time if you so wish.
Lindsay and Eve standing together with the San Francisco State sign just behind them.
