Service dog joins Quebec graduate in Montreal
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A graduation ceremony in Montreal carried an unusually touching scene this week as Quebec student Victor Bal received his mechanical engineering degree from Polytechnique Montréal with his service dog, Kopeck, by his side.
Kopeck was not a symbolic guest. She had been part of Bal’s university journey from the classroom to the exam room, offering daily support as he worked through the challenges of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and difficulties with focus and writing.
According to The Canadian Press, Bal, now 27, was among the early students supported by a Mira Foundation service dog trained for young people on the autism spectrum. He first began attending classes with a service dog at age 12, and Kopeck later became his constant companion through university.
The story is more than a warm graduation moment. It is also a reminder of what accessibility can mean when it is practical, personal and consistent. At Polytechnique Montréal, more than 1,000 students used accessibility services this school year, compared with about 40 students some 15 years ago.
Kopeck, an eight-year-old Labrador and Bernese Mountain Dog cross, helps Bal remain calm in stressful moments and is trained to notice signs of stress. Her presence helped him build confidence, manage daily challenges and continue moving toward a goal that once seemed far more difficult.
Bal’s path took longer than the traditional timeline, but he says what matters is that he made it. He is now looking for work and hopes to become a member of Quebec’s order of engineers, with Kopeck still beside him for the next chapter.
