I've seen service dogs get honorary degrees. You people need to get over yourselves. Making her 3-year-old a part of this big day will go a long way to inspire him in the future. Keeping this mom and son apart does nothing for the ceremony. But I bet you all feel good up there on that high horse
What next then? I bring on stage my extended family, childhood friends and workmates because they supported me. The child did not write her dissertation. They will celebrate and be proud watching her. It is not about the child.
Evidently, what is next is wild fantasies and ridiculous hypotheticals that no one would ever ask for. But ok.
How is it ridiculous to compare her child to another relative?
Service/assistance dogs are effectively living disability equipment - barring them would be like barring someone's wheelchair. Somebody's toddler is NOT equivalent to a guide dog!
they. give. the. dog. a. degree. if that's not performative, I don't know what is.
You do know that it's not a real degree, right? The issue is you comparing a service dog attending the graduation of its handler (who needs their service dog to attend in the first place) to someone bringing their toddler onstage. The service dog needs to be there regardless.