Medical Dog Who Attended Uni With Owner Gets Her Own White Coat at Ceremony

When master's student Jessica Moss took to the stage to collect her white lab coat, signaling progress to the next stage in the program, she was joined by a special four-legged compatriot—her diabetic service dog, Kenley.

Moss has spent the last few years studying the Physician Assistant program at Saint Elizabeth University in New Jersey, which wouldn't have been possible without Kenley by her side. For the last 10 years, Kenley has dutifully been there to alert Moss to any changes in blood sugar levels, as well as providing emotional support.

Having had Kenley since she was a puppy, Moss said that she's been her "best friend and anchor" over the last decade, and she's helped her grow through all of life's big challenges. She told Newsweek: "I've had her by my side now through so many major milestones, I couldn't imagine getting my white coat without her next to me."

Dogs like Kenley are trained to detect chemical changes produced by low or high blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia respectively. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that they are on alert at all times, even when their handler is asleep, to take swift action whenever necessary. Not only does this allow people to better manage their diabetes, but the AKC says that having a diabetic alert dog gives owners the security and confidence to go about their lives.

There's no surprise that Kenley has become a campus celebrity, so when Moss walked on stage with the service dog alongside her, there was a special surprise awaiting them both. After Moss was given her white coat, Kenley then got her very own dog version to match. The moment delighted everyone in the crowd, and Saint Elizabeth University shared the footage on TikTok (@saintelizabethuniversity).

Since the video was posted on December 11, the memorable moment has already gone viral with over 1 million views and 155,200 likes. Alongside the video, the caption reads: "We're so proud of them both!"

The unexpected social media reaction has been wondrous to see, with Moss adding that the video perfectly captured her bond with Kenley, and how much the academic community "has embraced her."

She continued: "Kenley attended virtually every single aspect of my education—class, exams, and patient simulations. As we approached the white coat ceremony, it was clear to me that she deserved recognition for her unwavering support in the classroom.

"The overwhelming positivity and kindness has been extremely heartwarming. It's incredible to see how many people resonated with our story and expressed their support. The most touching aspect has been the outpouring of appreciation for seeing a person with a disability entering the field of healthcare. I am deeply moved by the impact our story has had on others navigating similar paths."

'This Achievement Would Resonate With All'

After witnessing the special moment for Moss and Kenley, the university couldn't wait to share it and highlight the extraordinary work of service animals in academia. Denise Panyik-Dale, director of communications and marketing, said that the idea to give Kenley her own coat was a perfect way to celebrate the pup, who has become "a loved member of the class."

"The audience erupted in genuine excitement as they witnessed Kenley receiving her well-deserved white coat," Panyik-Dale told Newsweek. "The atmosphere was charged with joy and celebration, a testament to the shared enthusiasm for this significant moment."

The university praised the "profound impact" that Moss and Kenley's journey has had for so many people, as they've been inundated with congratulatory messages. "As soon as Kenley received her white coat, we realized how this achievement would resonate with all who would view it," she continued.

With more than 150 comments on the viral post so far, many social media users loved witnessing Kenley's special moment. One comment reads: "Gotta love a good girl in STEM [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics]."

Another person responded: "She so proud of earning her coat with her mom! Congratulations to the both of them!"

While one person joked that she's now "DOGtor Kenley."

Update 12/21/23, 6:45 a.m. ET: This article was updated to replace information from Diabetic Alert Dogs of America with information from the American Kennel Club.

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