BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- Lily DeGroot's life was filled with anxiety, but her parents' purchase of a service dog helped her overcome her struggles.
Layla was only a puppy but became so instrumental in DeGroot's ability to change her life that they both strolled across the stage at Lily's graduation in December 2024. Layla's tail was wagging the whole time at the commencement ceremony.
DeGroot's anxiety problems grew into full-fledged panic attacks daily while she was in high school. While she dreamed of attending college at Ferris State and a career as a Department of Natural Resources conservation officer, she feared her debilitating anxiety would stand in her way.
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A few months before DeGroot moved to Big Rapids, her parents purchased the goldendoodle puppy to provide comfort and emotional support for their daughter at Ferris State.
“I’d always struggled with friendships, which played a role in my anxiety as well,” DeGroot said. “My parents and I were concerned that when I got to college I would just kind of shut down with the anxiety and hide in my own space. But if I had a dog, I’d have to take her out and maybe even meet people doing that.”
That’s just what happened.
“Everyone that I met at Ferris instantly fell in love with Layla,” DeGroot said.
As an official emotional support animal, Layla was allowed to live in the dormitory with DeGroot, providing companionship and helping ease the young woman’s anxiety as she adjusted to college life.
Realizing she needed more help to cope with her college courses, DeGroot began training Layla her freshman year to become a service dog. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as “dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” Unlike an emotional support animal, a service dog is generally allowed anywhere the public is allowed.
After months of on-campus training and with the support of Ferris State’s Disability and Accessibility Resource Center, Layla became a certified service dog. She learned to sense changes in DeGroot’s state of mind and perform “deep pressure therapy” by laying her body on her owner to offer comfort. Layla also knows when to lick DeGroot’s hands or face to calm her down.
It's made all the difference.
“Before Layla was certified as a service dog and I had to go to class without her, there were many instances when I would start to panic and get so freaked out I just needed to go back to my dorm room and calm myself down,” DeGroot said.
“Now Layla’s made it where if I started to feel anxious and feel a panic attack coming on, I removed myself from class, went to the bathroom, Layla performed all her tasks and, eventually, she calmed me down enough to where I felt I could return to class. I couldn’t have completed my degree without Layla at my side.”
DeGroot did earn her degree — and quickly. Thanks to dual-enrollment at Muskegon Community College in high school, carrying extra credits many semesters at Ferris State, and taking courses year-round, DeGroot earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in just two-and-a-half years.
Not to mention she graduated summa cum laude, an honor awarded to students who achieve the highest level of academic excellence.
While she waits to enter DNR conservation officer training, she’s looking for a job in law enforcement. She’s come so far in dealing with her anxiety that she’s confident she can work without Layla at her side.
“Through the experiences I had at Ferris State, I’ve overcome many obstacles including the worst of my anxiety struggles,” she said.
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Layla the service dog accompanies Lily DeGroot as she accepts her degree from Ferris State University during December 2024 commencement exercises. Photo: Source: Ferris State University
FSU grad Lilly DeGroot and service dog Layla after Lilly's December 2024 graduation.Photo: Source: Ferris State University