Post by Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

When Alexandra Vanden Brink injured her spinal cord, she had to adapt many parts of her life. Her injury opened new pathways that she hadn’t considered, including further study. She recently graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) and had her assistance dog Oakley join her on stage. “Completing another qualification and continuing to build my knowledge has been really meaningful, and Oakley has been a huge part of that journey.” This was Oakley’s first graduation ceremony and our Chancellor even capped her (sort of - see photo comment). She wasn’t too sure about that part of the ceremony though… “She supports me in every aspect of my life, both personally and professionally, and having her cross the stage with me at graduation felt like a shared achievement.” As well as being a recent graduate, Alexandra is one of our Student Wellbeing Advisors at Massey, based on our Manawatū campus. “My role is to provide support and guidance to students to enhance their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. I promote positive mental health and wellbeing and help students overcome challenges that may be impacting their academic performance and personal lives.” Students love to see Oakley on campus and Alexandra says that Oakley plays a really important role in her work. “Oakley often helps create a sense of calm and connection in what can be a very overwhelming environment. When students are upset or emotionally distressed, Oakley can provide comfort in a way that is often immediate and non-verbal. She helps break down barriers, reduces anxiety and encourages students to engage more openly. In many ways, she supports my work by helping students feel safe enough to begin conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to start.” What a team!