Service dog 'Skittles' joins college graduate during ceremony

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Monday, December 18, 2017
Service dog walks stage with graduate
Service dog walks stage with graduate. Tamala Edwards reports during Action News at 4:30 a.m. on December 18, 2017.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- A college graduate in Texas celebrated a huge milestone with her loyal four-legged companion at her side.

Taylor Dearman collected her diploma from Texas A&M on Saturday with her best friend and service dog Skittles.

They were paired together almost four years ago when Dearman began experiencing anxiety, depression and seizures.

Skittles has stuck by her side ever since.

"I couldn't do it without Skittles. She's the one that's really pushed me and helped me get better, and she's just my world now so I don't know what I would do without her," Dearman said.

Dearman now plans to pursue a job as a fifth-grade reading teacher.