June 22, 2023

Make no bones about it: UMB student service dogs are a breed apart. UMB honored therapy and service dogs during “Paws to Honor: UMB Service and Therapy Dog Awareness Day” on June 13 in which “dogtorate” degrees were “confurred” on the companions of three 2023 graduates: University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Caroline Benzel, MD, and therapy dog Loki; University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Paola Urbistondo-Jimenez, PharmD, and service dog Kylo Red; and University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Courtney Bergan, JD, and service dog Kiera.

While other universities have honored service dogs during commencement ceremonies, including Seton Hall University in May, UMB’s ceremony is believed to be one of the first in the U.S. to be held separately by a university to honor the companions who accompany students to class and offer comfort to patients at hospitals and others in need.

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