High school throws dog a ... 'diploma'
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Kate Miller, her assist dog Greta and classmates wait in the procession to their seats for Spotswood High School's graduation June 23.

SPOTSWOOD — Graduation is a time to celebrate with family and close friends.

For Kate Miller, it was even more special, as she was able to share her June 23 graduation from Spotswood High School with her twin sister and classmate Colleen, as well as her golden retriever Greta.

For the past two years, Greta has accompanied Kate, who has juvenile myochronic epilepsy, in school, since Greta is able to sense seizures coming on and warn her master and others when one is about to happen.

As a result of Greta's skills and hard work, she was allowed to walk with Kate at graduation last week. In fact, Greta received an honorary degree that was created by an employee in the school's main office.

"She is the very first service dog to graduate from Spotswood High School," said Maggie MiIler, Kate's mother.

The family received Board of Education approval to have the assist dog in school with Kate in October 2007. It was the first time Spotswood had a request for a dog to accompany a student in school, and it is believed to be one of the first such cases in New Jersey.

Greta, who is with Kate 24 hours a day, has helped on numerous occasions during her junior and senior years.

Maggie Miller recalled one morning in March when Kate was getting ready for school. Kate fell to her knees, trembling, and her head hit the wall and a dresser. Greta realized Kate was having a seizure and went to Maggie and began pushing her toward Kate's room. The dog then left the room to allow people to deal with the issue. "I feel Greta knew we needed a lot of room," Maggie said.

Maggie pulled Kate out of the room, while Colleen called 911. Kate stopped breathing for nearly a minute before she came to, Maggie said.

"That was the scariest seizure I've seen. She never stopped breathing before," Maggie said, adding that police and an ambulance quickly arrived to help. Even after the emergency medical technicians arrived, Greta did not feel her job was done, accompanying Kate to the hospital.

According to Maggie, Greta came to Kate's rescue about eight times at the high school, where she was constantly at her master's side. Early in the school year, Greta noticed a flickering florescent light that could set off a seizure. Greta alerted Kate, who went straight to the nurse's office and laid down for half an hour until her hand stopped trembling, Maggie said. She was then able to resume classes.

Over the roughly two years the two have been together, they have developed a strong bond.

"Kate takes Greta out and is very responsible for such a young person," Maggie said, adding that Kate also pays with her own money anytime something must be bought for Greta.

Despite a couple of minor problems, the time Greta spent with Kate at school was enjoyable and without distractions to anyone, Maggie said.

The family is very grateful to the school for allowing Greta to follow Kate around.

"I need more people to be aware that these service dogs are really helpful," Maggie said.

She noted that she had to pay about $1,000 per year for a liability policy so the school would allow Greta to be around. But she said high school's administrators "have been very good" in dealing with the situation.

Board of Education President Rich O'Brien, who joked that it was too bad the school could not find a cap to fit Greta's head for graduation, said he was glad that the school district and its students and staff were "able to accommodate Kate's needs and make her service dog's entry and time in our environment seamless."

"There were no issues during their years in-district, and we wish Kate nothing but success as she pursues her college studies," O'Brien said.

Kate will bring Greta with her to Middlesex County College, Edison, starting this fall, Maggie said. Kate plans to study criminal justice, while Colleen will study computer engineering there.

For the time being though, the family is basking the joy of the triple-graduation of Kate, Colleen — who received a track and field dedication award for her four years with the program — and of course, Greta, who even has a place in the high school yearbook.

All in all, June 23 was a memorable and happy occasion for the family, even with the sudden rainfall.