Short Wave Service Animals In The Lab: Who Decides?
Feb 6, 2020
Joey Ramp, a scientist at the Beckman Institute, advocates for the inclusion of service animals like her dog Sampson in laboratory settings. She shares her journey navigating the challenges of having service animals in STEM, emphasizing the need for standardized guidelines. Joey highlights the importance of addressing the biases against service dog handlers, and the contribution of service animals to diversity in STEM fields. Her personal story of recovery from a traumatic brain injury underscores the vital support these animals provide in the pursuit of science.
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Joey's Journey to Neuroscience
- Joey Ramp suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2006, leading to PTSD and cognitive decline.
- Inspired by a book about service dogs, she entered neuroscience to understand her condition.
University Resistance
- Joey faced resistance bringing her service dog, Samson, into labs at the University of Illinois.
- After two years, she succeeded, but the process was exhausting and required constant advocacy.
Proactive Communication
- Address concerns about service dogs proactively.
- Explain their training, address allergy and fear concerns, and emphasize the use of PPE.