Canine Companions held a ceremony Friday in Medford showing that a dog is so much more than man’s best friend.

The nonprofit matriculated 30 dogs into the program to learn more advanced commands, while 11 dogs graduated and got paired with the people they’ll be helping.

Canine Companions Program Director Ellen Torop says it’s always an emotional day.

"This is the beginning of potentially amazing things,” she said. "Be a great team, go off into the world, it's very emotional."

Torop says these dogs have a special mission.

"The goal of our organization is to train tasks for dogs that will facilitate someone's independence. The side bonus is you get this amazing relationship,” she said.

It's been an almost three-year long process for John Carr, from Huntington, before he got paired with his dog Studley.

"It's amazing what this animal can do for me and what it could do for others with disabilities,” said Carr.

Carr, who suffers from a form of cerebral palsy, says Studley knows up to 40 commands to help him with things like opening doors, tug, pull, push, pulling on and off a coat and helping him tie his shoes.

"I can't thank the Canine Companions community enough for everything that they have and everything that they have given for me to succeed,” he said.

Canine Companions says the nonprofit needs more Puppy Raisers to raise their pups. Find out how you can get involved here.