A Labrador Retriever named O’Hara is the newest addition to the adorable viral dogs of TikTok. This super-talented service dog is assisting her blind owner, Isabella Savannah who is currently a senior college student studying biology, in navigating the campus, especially in the laboratory.
Isabella or Bella for short has a genetic eye disorder called Stargardt disease that caused her loss of vision. She first started experiencing loss of sight when she was just six and by the age of 11, she was already declared fully blind. Thankfully, she found O’Hara who opened up the world to her and gave her the sense of independence that no cane could ever give.
And now at 22 years old, she feels that she is sufficiently independent and living a full life despite not being able to see thanks in part to O’Hara.
Bella chronicles their journey together and how O’Hara helps her in her daily life through TikTok. One of their viral moments on the platform was Bella showing their followers what O’Hara looked like with her goggles which raked in over 6.6 million views and 1.5 million likes. O’Hara definitely looked so cool with goggles on and she also looked very comfortable wearing it.
According to Bella, she never tried to force O’Hara into her protective equipment and she always made it a point to give her a sense of control. So, she would hold out the equipment and let O’Hara get into it. And then she would give her some really nice, high-quality treats to send a positive association with it.
And after O’Hara’s all geared up, she would quietly rest at Bella’s feet but at the same time alert and aware of the surroundings. She is always ready to jump in and help out Bella if she ever needs her. But once the day is over and they are back at the dorm, O’Hara is given time to relax like any other dog and just enjoy her time.
@my.eyes.ohara Reply to @jennyharrison09 Goodest Girl in STEM in the lab. 📖 &MERCH in profile. 🦮🧬🔬🥽#stem #science #scientist #lab #guidedog #dogs
Source: TikTok via my.eyes.ohara
