In May, Cecilia Hernandez graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, with her best friend Canela, who walked across the commencement stage on four legs.

Canela is a 4-year-old "jack of all trades" golden retriever service dog, according to Hernandez, who welcomed the canine into her life during her fall semester in 2021.

"I began to have cardiac issues that led to a high heart rate, leading me to faint. Canela can alert me when my heart rate is too high and tell me to sit down when I'm near fainting. During these episodes, she can perform Deep Pressure Therapy to help diminish my symptoms. Additionally, I have a lot of different food allergies. She can alert me before I get a reaction and prompt me to take medication," Hernandez tells PEOPLE about how Canela assists her.

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