Service dogs are supposed to stick with their owners wherever they go — even at work. So, one Golden Retriever has been trained by his disabled neuroscientist owner to become a lab assistant. And part of the job is to learn how to wear personal protective equipment or PPE.
Sampson, the service dog, looks undeniably cute in his PPE. But he has to wear it not just to look adorable but to keep himself safe. This is also because protective garments are strictly required inside the lab.
Sampson as a lab dog
Joey Ramp, Sampson’s owner, had head injuries due to a horse-riding accident. But more than ten years ago, the 56-year-old woman decided to return to education to become a neuroscientist and understand more about the nature of the human brain.
As part of her work, Joey had to spend time in the lab at the University of Illinois. And since she needed her service dog, the university granted Sampson access to the chemistry laboratory. He was the first-ever dog to have that kind of access.
Sampson is tasked with spotting and reacting to Joey’s PTSD. But he also does more than that by coming to Joey’s side in case she drops something in her lab. Joey even uses him as a brace when she needs to kneel down and get something from the floor.
What a reliable pup!
An advocacy begins
Joey acknowledges Sampson’s indispensable help and assistance for her. She says that she couldn’t possibly navigate the academic field or pursue her neuroscience career without Sampson.
Joey is eventually inspired to start an advocacy proposing that service dogs should be allowed inside laboratories. She has even started drafting guidelines to make things happen.
The guidelines even include that service dogs will have to put on PPE. The dogs will also have to be always within their owners’ line of sight.
The duo is now working with more universities to help them adopt such guidelines while introducing more dogs to the labs in the process.
Video Source: SWNS via YouTube
