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If Madison Evans tells you her dog, Sunny, was with her throughout her graduate studies at SUNY Fredonia, she wouldn’t be exaggerating. 

Every class attended and exam taken, all presentations she gave, along with 600-plus clinic hours. These were simply the progressive steps along Evans’ journey to leading to her graduate degree.

Sunny, a Goldendoodle, accompanied Ms. Evans as she walked across the stage to receive the diploma cover for her M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and shake hands with President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. at the university’s 197th Commencement on May 18.

“I figured since I went through all of the hours and hard work to receive my master’s, she was at my side the entire time, so when I discussed (taking Sunny along to Commencement) with my peers, it seemed like there wasn’t really any question about it – Sunny was there the whole time – that she would continue to be at my side when I receive my diploma,” Evans explained.

The CDS faculty and staff recognized and fully supported Sunny’s important role as a service dog assisting Evans in completing requirements for her CDS program.” - Clinic Director Julie Williams

Evans, who’s originally from Hamburg, NY, found SUNY Fredonia, where she earned a B.S. in Communication Disorders and Sciences in 2022, to be “so accepting and encouraging of me completing my [graduate] degree.”

Adapting to a student having a service dog was initially a challenge for the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, said Julie Williams, clinic director. “The CDS faculty and staff recognized and fully supported Sunny’s important role as a service dog assisting Evans in completing requirements for her CDS program,” Ms. Williams said.

“I know that the presence of a service dog is new to most people, and I have learned that as a service dog handler, I have to be an advocate for myself and others with service dogs,” Evans explained. “Thankfully the Disability Support Services for Students office here at Fredonia was really helpful in guiding me throughout this process, and my [clinic] director worked with me in ensuring that I found placements which were accommodating.”

So how did Sunny, who is part golden retriever/part poodle, handle all the excitement, the celebratory atmosphere, not to mention the huge crowd at commencement?

In a word, “flawlessly,” according to Evans, sitting quietly beneath Evans’ chair on the Steele Hall fieldhouse floor. “I was a little nervous she would lose her cap on stage but she wore it proudly and executed the Commencement flawlessly.”

Sunny is so mellow and easygoing, so she handles the excitement of new things with grace,” Evans added.

In addition to clinical placements providing enriching and educational experiences, Evans was pleasantly surprised to see the positive impact Sunny had on those around her. “Although she sat quietly under or next to my desk the majority of the time, she was always happily greeted by my peers, professors and supervisors,” she explained.

“We spent time in the [Henry C.] Youngerman Center [for Communication Disorders], assisting in preschool, and it was through all my clinical experiences that it has been incredible to see how excited my clients get to communicate with Sunny,” Evans explained. “When working with kids with special needs and adults who miss their own pets, and with non-verbal children who begin to say their first words trying to communicate with her, it’s been emotional and exciting to see!”

Sunny's training didn’t go unnoticed, and she was praised for exceeding any and all expectations, Evans added.”

Sunny loved the campus and looked forward to accompanying Evans to Starbucks for her pup cup, according to Evans. “She loved all of my professors; she was always welcomed and greeted with open arms.”

As a certified service dog, Sunny’s main task is to alert and prevent Evans from experiencing a panic attack. Sunny is trained to provide Deep Pressure therapy, using grounding techniques, behavioral interruptions and body blocking on cue or in response to specific behaviors. She’s also trained to retrieve items and press buttons to open doors on command.

“I was having panic attacks, so rather than seeking the medication route, I was able to work my doctors and a private trainer, and Sunny learned how to assist me appropriately,” Evans explained. In fact, she worked alongside a private trainer to prepare Sunny – beginning with intense training when she was a year old – to meet the standards to be certified as a service animal.

I know that the presence of a service dog is new to most people, and I have learned that as a service dog handler, I have to be an advocate for myself and others with service dogs.” - Madison Evans

“For me, Sunny made going to class and clinic every day something I looked forward to, knowing that I am safe and prepared for what’s ahead of me,” Evans said.

Sunny accompanies Evans nearly every place she goes, including shopping trips and the grocery store, as well as to doctor and dentist appointments. Evans was part of Fredonia’s women’s Rugby Club, so Sunny attended practices, games and social and volunteer events. They’ve also hiked three Adirondack peaks together and plan additional hikes this summer. 

Evans believes Sunny hasn’t been the only service dog on campus. “There are at least two others on campus; it makes me happy to see how welcome and more accepted service dogs have been in recent years.”

Having relocated to Fredonia, NY, Evans’ career goal is to become a speech-language pathologist, working in early intervention cases and with preschool-age clients.