Degrees handed out to animals at Queen's University Belfast's 'pet graduation' ceremony - including dog hurt in Bangor attack

The event recognises students’ animals for being their “most loyal supporters" throughout their university degree course.

Described as an “unofficial and informal” ceremony, Queen’s invited graduates and their four-legged friends to walk the red carpet before receiving a ‘pet-ificate’ in subjects such as furensic science, anthropawlogy, barkaeology, barketing, and mecatical engineering.

A rescue dog who recently worked in the Venezuelan earthquake disaster zone and a pygmy goat were amongst those “graduating” today.

The university said: “Research has shown that spending time with animals can improve concentration levels and lower stress – two things that are particularly important as students navigate their studies.

"Following the University’s 2024 pet graduation, the first of its kind in the UK, the ceremony once again highlighted the often-unseen role pets play as companions and sources of comfort for students, particularly during exam time."

Animal of the Year, chosen by students, went to Max Gray for “gallantry in public service due to his bravery in local and international search and rescue efforts”.

He and his owner Ryan Gray had been in the news when both were attacked by youths in Bangor earlier this year.

The university said: “In receiving his honorary ‘dog-torate’, Max was recognised for his specialist ability to locate missing and trapped people in emergency situations using his exceptional scent detection skills – skills that saw him deployed to Venezuela last month following a major earthquake.”

Law graduate Eimear Marie Kelly Ward, owner of six-year-old Labradoodle Tilly since 2020, cares for her mother who has epilepsy and a brain injury, and said: “Although she has never received formal service training, Tilly has an incredible ability to sense my mother’s seizures before they happen and reminds her if she forgets to eat or take her medication.

"Tilly has shared my caring responsibilities, as well as bringing joy, comfort and stability to our family as we managed a chronic illness.

"She didn't just watch me earn my law degree, she actively helped me cross the finish line and I'm so happy to see her be recognised for everything she's done for us."

Masters of Law graduate Hollye Hamilton was joined by her pygmy goat, Greta.

She said: "Greta was there for every stressful assignment, exam and dissertation meltdown, always ready to make me laugh, usually by causing a little bit of chaos.

"She reminded me to step away from my laptop, get outside and enjoy the little things in life (even if that meant chasing a mischievous pygmy goat around the yard).

"She may not have written a single essay or cited any references, but she was the best emotional support I could have asked for. If anyone has earned a graduation cap, it’s Greta!"

Queen’s was recently named ‘University of the Year’ in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards, based on reviews left by 4,012 students.