Why did Texas Tech honor a canine at commencement? That’s just who we are.

Makaela Muse will tell you right off the bat, she doesn’t know how her friend, Sadie, graduated from college. After all, Sadie slept through most of her classes and never did her homework.

Considering that she’s a dog, maybe she gets a pass.

Together, Makaela and Sadie crossed the stage during Texas Tech University’s May commencement this weekend – Makaela in full robes and mortarboard, Sadie just in robes. But it was what happened in the middle of the stage that caught the world’s attention. 

As Makaela shook President Lawrence Schovanec’s hand, he paused and turned away. From the greenery behind him, he pulled a surprise – a rawhide bone with a red ribbon tied around it – which he bent and offered to Sadie. 

She gladly accepted her dogploma, and the internet has gone wild over it in the three days since.

But it’s the story behind this heartwarming moment that really hits home.

Makaela came to Texas Tech from Abernathy to study animal science, in hopes of becoming a large animal veterinarian. She’s known what she wanted to be since she was 6 years old – before she could even pronounce “veterinarian,” her mom, Sara, adds.

Sadie came into her life, first, as a friend. It was Makaela’s senior year of high school, Sadie was one of 12 puppies in her litter of white German Shepherds, and the pair just bonded. But becoming part of the Muse family came with certain rules. Makaela’s dad, Joe, who used to show dogs, made sure all their animals were highly trained. So with his supervision, Makaela began training Sadie immediately.

Makaela headed off to Texas Tech in the fall, ready to start forging her path to vet school. But in the second week of the spring semester, everything changed.

“I passed out in my anatomy lab,” Makaela confides. “Coincidentally, we were talking about homework, instead of actual anatomy, and long story short, I had some rather rare genetic conditions that required constant monitoring and several treatments to help maintain and get under control.”

Makaela had been showing symptoms of her condition throughout high school, but she endured multiple misdiagnoses before doctors discovered the truth. 

“After that, I had to go to Dallas for specialized treatment,” she explains. “Shortly after that, Sadie and I started working with a trainer in Oklahoma to task train her for my medical conditions. And not too long after that, she started going with me everywhere, because I wasn’t allowed to be alone anymore.”

Makaela admits it was a hard transition. She was a very introverted young woman, and suddenly total strangers were approaching any time she went out in public. There were always questions – sometimes inappropriately personal questions. 

“It’s like always being on display; it gets kind of exhausting,” Makaela notes. “That’s definitely not one of the upsides, but I always have her to trust whenever I am not 100% in any situation. She always is there and takes care of me. She handles it. She’s on top of things.

“I don’t think a lot of people see the challenges of having a service dog. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it is also a wonderful thing to be able to have.”

“It’s what’s kept you in Texas Tech,” Sara adds.

“Yes, it’s what kept me in school and breathing.”

They pause for a moment, clearly trying to decide how to phrase what’s coming next.

“When she first was diagnosed…” Sara trails off.

“My dad was diagnosed with cancer, is what she was about to say,” Makaela finishes.

He passed away three days after Makaela finished her treatment.

“That was a challenge because she’s a daddy’s girl,” Sara shares. “And with her conditions and his passing, there was just so much going on, and she still managed to get through school quickly. I think Sadie has helped with that as well.”

True, Sadie was there by her side every moment. Every class period. Every late-night study session. She even got her own set of personal protective equipment for chemistry labs – that’s why she wore her commencement robes so well.

“Texas Tech has just done a wonderful job of making me feel included,” Makaela smiles. “The staff I’ve interacted with have always been so kind and supportive and fun. I’ve actually got a couple of professors who would walk up, talk to Sadie, tell her good morning, and it was just like the highlight of their day. I think that was the best. They were always there, always so supportive of us.”

And yet, nothing could have prepared her for graduation day.

Watching President Schovanec turn and present Sadie with that bone, Makaela’s mind went blank.

“I was just speechless,” she laughs. “I was so surprised, and I just felt overwhelming gratefulness. That just made the moment so much more special. That was— wow, I will never forget that.”

“Like so many of our graduates, Makaela represents the resilience, determination and heart that define Texas Tech students,” Schovanec said. “Behind every student who walks across the commencement stage is a story filled with challenges overcome, sacrifices made and people who helped make that moment possible. My hope is that every graduate who crossed that stage this weekend felt seen, celebrated and valued as part of the Texas Tech family.”

And that’s the whole idea. Out here, we go the extra mile for one another.