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Graduating with paws and purpose

It’s easy to blend in at a graduation ceremony alongside your fellow students wearing black robes and a mortarboard, but for 21-year-old Lucy Carpenter, her Guide Dog Dottie was a bit of a scene stealer.

Lucy capped off three years of tough study at Melbourne’s RMIT University last week as she was handed her Bachelor of Communications (Professional Communications) degree.

Alongside her for many lectures and tutorials, and on stage to receive her certificate, was Dottie.

Dottie came into Lucy’s life in 2022, when she was matched with the black Labrador by Guide Dogs Victoria.

Lucy has albinism, a genetic condition resulting in low vision, poor depth perception and sensitivity to light.

Before Dottie, Lucy would travel to her classes from her home in Ocean Grove and come to class exhausted.

“I travelled two hours each way to university, and having Dottie meant that I wasn’t straining my vision during that travel so when I got to class, I wasn’t already tired and fatigued and getting headaches, and I was able to concentrate better”.

She says after matching with Dottie, her grades even improved.

On December 13, Lucy graduated with distinction.

She will now focus on building a career in the communications world, after specialising in public relations.

“I’ve been intrigued by the media and world of communication since my early teens,” she said.

“This degree has been incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable, and I’ve learned a diverse set of skills across the different disciplines of communication.”

“Now, we’ll see what the future holds for me”.

Best of luck Lucy and Dottie!

Image description: Lucy in her academic regalia featuring bright pink lining with black Labrador Dottie in harness by her side. They stand in front of a blue banner with RMIT University written in white text with people milling around in the background.