Polytechnique graduate credits service dog Kopeck for success

A 27-year-old man is set to graduate from Montreal’s École Polytechnique with his mechanical engineering degree, an achievement made possible with the constant support of his service dog, who attended every class by his side. Victor Bal will walk across the stage with Kopeck, an eight-year-old Labrador-Bernese Mountain Dog cross trained by Quebec’s Mira Foundation to support youth with autism spectrum disorder.

According to the foundation, Bal is among the first individuals to have benefited from a Mira ASD service dog to graduate from university. He received his first service dog at age 12, becoming one of the first students in Quebec to attend classes with such an animal. Bal describes Kopeck as his partner and ally. "Not long ago I called her my shield and sword to face the world, because she gave me the tools I need to be a working member of society and be the greatest version of myself," he said.

The dog provides calm and comfort, present with him constantly. She is trained to recognize signs of stress and distract him by nudging him with her nose or making noises. Bal said that before having a service dog, he struggled to pass even elementary school classes. "What changed...