A Paw-sitive Impact: Liam Joins UH Hilo’s 2026 Nursing Class

UH Hilo School of Nursing assistant professor Tracy Thornett with her service dog Liam in their office on campus.

Liam wore a custom stole when he crossed the stage at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s 2026 Spring Nursing Pinning Ceremony — the only graduate on four legs. For two years, the service dog had attended every lecture, lab, and clinical rotation beside his owner, UH Hilo School of Nursing assistant professor Tracy Thornett. When the senior class voted to pin him alongside them, it wasn’t a gimmick. It was a thank-you.

Liam as a pup before finding his calling as a service dog and UH Hilo School of Nursing mascot.

Liam’s story begins with what some might call an imperfection. Born in Pāpaʻikou he couldn't be registered with the American Kennel Club due to an overbite. However, this “reject” pup found his true purpose with Thornett, who in addition to her teaching role at UH Hilo is a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

“He’s literally the best dog I’ve ever had,” Thornett shared. Liam was originally intended to be a therapy dog for the hospital where she worked, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed those plans. Then, life threw a series of profound challenges at Thornett. Her mother was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that required treatment outside of Hawaiʻi. The surgery led to severe complications, forcing Thornett to balance her teaching career with navigating a complex, heartbreaking medical crisis for her mother.

“I just felt myself unraveling,” Thornett recalled. To cope with the overwhelming stress and the emotional toll of constant travel and caregiving, she turned to her doctor, who supported the idea of Liam becoming her official service dog.

Liam quickly proved his worth. “He made it possible for me to keep working,” Thornett explained. He provided a buffer during stressful interactions and brought joy to those around him. “He really is trained to engage because he’s value-additive,” she said.

Tracy Thornett, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC

When Thornett introduced Liam to her junior nursing class in the fall of 2024, she was transparent about her struggle and the healing power of Liam’s presence. The students didn’t just accept him; they adopted him as their classmate and mascot.

Liam became a staple in the nursing lab, teaching students the “art” of nursing — the ability to connect and provide comfort beyond technical skills.

“He reminds me how to do that over and over again,” Thornett said.

Liam’s impact has been so profound that the graduating class insisted he be part of their official Pinning Ceremony the day before Spring Commencement. Recognizing his incredible contribution to their education and their beloved professor’s well-being, they even crafted a custom stole for him to wear as he was pinned alongside the human graduates he supported.

Liam spent the last two years attending lectures, labs, and clinical rotations alongside his owner, Tracy Thornett, assistant professor in the School of Nursing.

Thornett hopes Liam’s story will inspire others to explore the benefits of service dogs, especially in healthcare. For now, Liam continues to dispense “dog medicine,” offering unconditional positive regard — a fundamental lesson Thornett imparts to her nursing students.

Liam’s official UH Hilo School of Nursing headshot.

Liam’s journey from an unregistered pup to a pinned member of the UH Hilo nursing community is a beautiful testament to the university’s spirit. Here, students don’t just learn skills; they learn how to care deeply, support one another, and find light in the darkest of times. Liam stands as a reminder that the most important part of healthcare is often the heart. And UH Hilo proves it has unlimited supply.