But yesterday a canine graced the stage at Albury Entertainment Centre in his black robe with gold and red trimming to be honoured alongside Charles Sturt University’s physiotherapy class of 2014.

For the past seven years the laidback Labrador, Bear, has helped Daniel Searle work towards his proudest moment — graduating from university.

Mr Searle lost his sight when he was just 16 from genetic condition Lebers Optic Atrophy and wasn’t matched with Bear until his first year of study in Albury.

Bear instilled Mr Searle with the confidence he needed to navigate around campus and the different cities where he undertook work placement.

Before Bear was awarded official recognition at the graduation ceremony, it was said he should be given a physiotherapy degree himself.

“He did sleep through a lot of the classes so I’m not sure how much information he retained,” Mr Searle joked.

“He did come to all my exams with me so I might have had an unfair advantage having two brains in there but he wasn’t really that much help.

“I’m very pleased and happy the university is acknowledging his attendance at all my classes but I’m not sure how good he would be as a physio.”

Mr Searle hoped Bear’s recognition would send a message to other people with disabilities who may be considering tertiary study.

“The university will support the needs of people with different abilities and different learning needs and it’s a really proud moment for me that the university is acknowledging Bear and acknowledging the role he played in my studies.”

Mr Searle already has a job as a physiotherapist in Albury.

He relies mostly on his sense of touch for work.