Railey the Service Dog Awarded Honorary Diploma

(Reprinted with permission from George Mason University.)

By Keith Strigaro, GMU

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- One of George Mason University’s newest “graduates” is 2 feet tall, has a wet nose and loves a good belly rub.

Railey Quiltstrom Dog-Jolliff, a devoted service dog, “graduated” from George Mason’s School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs earlier this month and received an honorary diploma.

The 8-year-old Labrador retriever attended every class with Tiffany Jolliff, who is blind, during her two years in the Organization Development and Knowledge Management degree program. Railey and Jolliff, a program specialist at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, have been a team for seven years.

“Railey and I have been through a lot together over the past seven years—degrees, cross-country moves, internships and jobs,” Joliff said. “And while I, of course, could have handled all of these things on my own, it has been a blessing to have him as my unconditional companion through everything.”

As a good working dog, Railey took his job seriously, but also enjoyed his down time with the cohort.
“Once inside the classroom,” classmate Pamela Novick said, “Tiffany would take the harness off, which is when Railey knows he is not working. He would then go and greet everyone. He is very sociable.”

And he was loved in return by the cohort—and the professor. In one of Tiffany’s first classes with associate professor of public policy Mark Addleson, Railey rolled onto his back as Addleson stopped his lecture to give him a belly rub.

“It is hard to explain, but his calming presence impacted us all,” classmate Lynn Orosco said. “His ability to put a smile on our faces during tense conversations or during long meetings was immeasurable.” As Jolliff completed her degree program, it was only fitting for Railey to be honored, too. He will be retiring from service next year.

“He is a college pro,” said Jolliff. “Railey walked with me when I received my economics degree from Illinois State University in 2011. I’m sure he feels that it is high time he received a diploma for all the hard work he has done.”

PHOTO: Tiffany Jolliff, left, and Railey receive their diplomas. Photo by Laura Sikes