.
@sampson_dog
's mom & researchers from
@BeckmanInst
recommend that the science community adopt a model that encompasses not only diversity, equity, & inclusion but also access. One step towards an accessible future: accessible service dog policies in labs
I am absolutely shattered to share we lost our sweet Sydney this morning. She crossed OTRB surrounded by love.
Travel well sweet girl. You’re loved. You will be missed.
Sharing this in 2 parts I tried to put her beautiful short 1.5 year old life in 2:20 min. I couldn’t 💔
I’m beyond gutted to share Sydney’s condition is terminal at only 1.5 yrs old. It’s complicated. I can’t process this yet. It will be 1-day at a time. We’ll continue treatments. I’ll savor each day until there are no more. Tonight I just need to cry/ hold her. It was a hard day.
TY for your encouraging/kind words. I’m honestly a wreck. Sam doesn’t understand. Her toys/stuff are everywhere. I keep seeing her face. I can’t process that I’ll never see the goofy muppet girl again. The decline happened so fast. I know she’s at peace. Now I need to find peace
Hi frens. I still am not feeling very good. Getting lots of extra love from Mom and Marshal Jim. If I’m not feeling better by tomorrow Mom is taking me back to see my veterinarian fren. Paws crossed please.
TY for the ❤️ I don’t know what today/tomorrow brings. I cried my tears last night. Muppet girl will leave a footprint on our heart. I’ll savor each moment we have left. She’ll let me know when she can’t fight anymore. I’ll share info/photos here not Sam’s page. Check for updates
GUESS WHAT! I doubled my happy yesterday! Marshal Jim asked Mom to marry him! SHE SAID YES! I am going to have a DAD! And a new brother in Charlie Law Dog! Best! Day! Ever!
#SundayThoughts
#GettingMarried
#Happy
#Dog
If you would've told me 2 yrs ago, 16 yrs after my brain injury that I would be living a full/independent life I wouldn't have believed you.
@sampson_dog
made recovery possible. He still goes with me to work/travel but is close to retiring. I'm able to live a full life b/c of him
Dropped sweet Sydnacious off early to VetMed specialist this morning. Just talked to the Dr. They are starting her on some really aggressive meds. It is a Hail Mary but she comes from a family of fighters - so be it. Whatever she needs, whatever it takes, she’ll get
#dog
#love
People are "suffering" from disabilities.
Nope -I'm not "suffering" - I am living, thriving, rocking, loving, laughing, generally making shit happen, and changing the world of science with a disability.
#MakeAbleistsUncomfortable
@sampson_dog
Several people have asked me if there is a charity they could donate to in Sydney’s honor. Yes, you can make a donation to to assist disabled scientists with resources and scholarships. Thank you! We miss our muppet girl!
Flowers arrived today with a card from all of Sydney’s
#veterinary
specialists. A plant arrived yesterday from her primary Vet. I’ve talked to several who called to tell me how much they cared about her and they cried with me on the phone.
#SheWasLoved
#Dog
#love
@sampson_dog
I am really overwhelmed with the love and support you have shown us! Thank you so very much!
From me, Sam, and Sydney. ❤️❤️
#science
#dog
#FreeServiceDogSampson
My vet surgeon wasn’t in yesterday so I’m leaving in an hour to go see him today. It is hard not feeling well, I like to work! So Mom has been keeping me occupied.
Sydney our big old muppet dog has had a rough start in life, but she has a heart of gold.
Take every good moment and hold them tight.
@sampson_dog
#sister
#IrishWolfhound
My buddy, Charlie Law Dawg passed quietly this morning. He wasn't a Police K9 or a Service Dog, but he was stubborn, snored loud, was loyal, and laugh out loud funny everyday. If everyone loved as unconditionally as he did, our world wouldn't be at war. Rest in Peace, Charlie ♥️
"I wish I could take my dog everywhere with me"
Me, "Then, I suppose you would like to take my disability with you everywhere as well - Every day, every minute, forever."
#MakeAbleistsUncomfortable
@sampson_dog
This lockout is now going to have an impact on how many disabled student scientists are given scholarships and financial aid for the Spring semester by limiting the ppl we reach for the Black Friday Promotion.
I am BEGGING
@TwitterSupport
to PLEASE help fix this!
#FreeSampson
Can you all help me get Sampson out of Twitter jail?
Please RT or post tagging
@Twitter
and request that
@sampson_dog
be released immediately!
This is wrongful imprisonment! Release the service floof!
Good news! My veterinarian fren says my teefies, gums, and blood work looks good. He thinks the pain medicine they gave me upset my tummy! So no more of them. My happy is back!
I want to thank every one of you who helped us regain
@sampson_dog
acct. Your persistence made a difference. When communities come together, their voices are amplified & great things happen. I also want to thank the
#DogsofTwittter
accts & ppl who DM'd me w/ advice. I am grateful
We are still locked out of
@sampson_dog
's account.
TY all for support. This shouldn't have happened, I messed up, I understand it takes time. Sam does so much good for so many as a service floof
If anyone in
@Policy
can help it would be appreciated. We just help people in need
Ok, so I messed up. 😭I entered Sam's actual birthday into the bio
@sampson_dog
, accidentally making it appear the account is that of a person underage - a big no-no. We are locked for now - indefinitely. Even tho he does amazing work & is just a floof we have to wait.
@Policy
I’m so proud of my husband! Marine, Marshal, sniper team leader, Detective, Special Operations Bureau Commander for 21 years, criminal justice and military intelligence instructor and on his off time solving cold cases. Some that took 8 1/2 yrs to solve.
#lawenforcement
#badass
BIG NEWS! We're moving to Arizona in 2-wks! We'll be working with researchers at University of Arizona to potentially open a new area of research opportunities for disabled scientists (paws crossed)+ other amazing
#science
work - details we can't share yet. NEW adventures!
#dog
You ALL rock!
Your hard work & support is working! I got a DM from a real human
@Twitter
. They will be looking into it. Also I’ve gotten DM advice from several
#dogsoftwitter
accounts.
Fingers & paws crossed! I couldn’t ask for a more supportive community! Sampson says TY!
Mom is disabled. I’m her Service
#Dog
If we are stopped from entering a store. While I’m in full harness. By a human worker saying, “no dogs allowed,” it is stressful. Mom must advocate calmly. I must watch her for medical alert. Our day is interrupted. Time wasted.
#KnowTheLaw
Sydney girl went back in today for her third round of chemo meds. She is IMPROVING her Neurologist said, which is awesome! Yay Sydney!
🤞👏👏🙌
It has been a VERY busy day! Wish we could share this with the
@sampson_dog
community!
#dog
#dogsoftwitter
@Policy
Service dog handlers often put the safety and comfort of their service dog over thier own. I know the desert well - having done extreme desert adventures.
@sampson_dog
does not. It is my responsibility to teach and acclimate him about/to our new desert world.
#LoveAndRespect
#dog
Service dogs aren’t robots. Handlers take great care ensuring thier service dog is healthy, safe & happy. Mom’s an experienced desert adventurer. I’m a Midwest floof. She’s acclimating me slowly to new terrain & temperature. We went on our 1st desert hike!! Best! Day! Ever!
#dog
Pro tip: Leaving a voicemail
- Be prepared before you call
- Speak SLOWLY and CLEARLY
- Don’t rush or mumble
- Give your name THEN phone number
- BRIEF reason for calling
- Phone number again
- Professional close: “I look forward to hearing from you.”
Hang up
Manuscript accepted! We wrote a response to a disturbingly negative article published last summer on SD handlers access to
#Science
labs. Our response flips the conversation to the positive impact of an
#inclusive
science culture & how to accommodate SD handlers.
#NeedsSaying
I have been known to be a bit fiery, uhm..”passionate” about equal rights for Service dog handlers in Science Labs, been called a maverick, rebel, & various other colorful names.
@sampson_dog
evens me out.
He is the salt to my pepper and the sugar to my spice.
#Science
#dog
College & Neuroscience was to understand what was happening in my brain after
#TBI
&
#PTSD
. Having a Service
#Dog
was the biggest obstacle in
#science
academia. Becoming a
#disablity
advocate wasn't a plan. Seeing & experiencing the obstacles couldn't be ignored. I am their voice
Suspect is in custody. My husband called to tell him he was safe, but they have a long night ahead. First breathe I think I have taken in hours. Thank you for the prayers. He is my super hero and the love of my life.
Wise words. I never expected to become disabled in my forties. Never expected to be denied equal opportunities at an education. I could be angry. I’m not. Now I change the future and culture of science academia to help others. Don’t look back - make it count toward a greater good
Good morning from Tombstone! Message for the day: You can not change your past, but you can control how it affects your future. You also have the choice today to make your life count for something greater than yourself.
#Tombstone
#inspiration
#sunrise
Joey's log: Stardate 41153.7 - aka Day 3 of
@sampson_dog
lockout. We still wait
Sampson is still out spreading his floof happy around to people who need a bit of happy. We love our hard-working veterinarians! Tough for all medical care teams right now. Be kind. Be like Sampson
So this just happened! Thank you
@iaindwelch
!!!! I could not love this anymore! You made my whole day, week, month! ❤️ How kind and generous of you to share your talent and draw my beautiful SamShine. What a surprise! 😊😊😊
We have something SUPER exciting to share with you! BUT we can’t spill the kibble on the news until sometime around the end of this year! It is a long time to wait but I am tippy-tappy toes excited. Stay tuned! Here is a sneak peak!!!
#SundayMotivation
#happy
#ScienceServiceDog
As a Wolfie parent of sweet Sydney I feel this to the core. Actually followed this story in real time on a FB page. I can’t imagine the agony of the days Fergus was missing - and the emotion by both Mom and Fergus reunited 😭😭😭❤️
Nashville, TN:
Elderly Fergus had gone missing on Saturday after a car rear-ended the McKay family car with Fergus riding in the back.
Startled, he ran off.
But thanks to the community Fergus was reunited today.
He actually cried he was so happy...
Every agency head should have a cause they support. I'm on board with my wife's effort to advocate for people with disabilities (with particular focus on service dogs) who are trying to gain access to industry and academia. Yesterday, that mission took us here.
Everyone is back!
Words can never express how much appreciation I have for all of your support thru the shares but also virtually holding my hand thru this.
Sam’s acct was built to help ppl who need to know they aren’t alone, this community showed me the same thing. Thank you
Sampson is in Twitter jail!!!
Note to self: Do not enter the service dogs birthdate into Twitter! The account was locked because Sam didn’t meet the minimum age requirement! Ugh.....
@sampson_dog
My husband, the chief law enforcement officer raced from the dinner table moments ago to an active shooter call. I wait for news I may not get for many hours. Please pray for all. I just had to block someone on
@sampson_dog
’s page for bashing LEOs today. Don’t anyone dare!
@sampson_dog
@united
Sampson’s Mom here- I’m very disappointed. As an advocate my job is to raise awareness for people with disabilities. This experiment started as a service dog access to airlines experiment. I’ll make sure Sam has everything he needs. But it makes his job harder if I’m not healthy
New evidence suggests up to 1/3 of those who fought
#COVID19
and recovered are now battling symptoms of
#PTSD
. Health care workers and those who lost family members will as well. I have said for over a year - PTSD will be a fallout of the pandemic. Support those seeking help.
Pro tip: If you are applying for a professional position and sent in a resumé make sure your voicemail greeting isn’t- “I’m busy - don’t bother me - I probably won’t call you back.” Or worse. 😬
1. Update your voicemail greeting
2. Send in a resumé
3. Answer calls professionally
Wishing my amazing husband the happiest of birthdays. As a Marine then a Peace Officer he has dedicated his life to the service of others, and remains my place of peace with his wit, devotion, and kindness. His birth was a gift from God to me and all those he has protected.
I am going thru a learning curve - trial by fire. I am getting messages from people telling me that it will take time for everything on the acct to re-set. So, I think all of Sam's followers are still there & he can share his happy w/ you ALL every day! I can't TY you all enough!
I’m a Service Dog! Yay
@united
(United Airlines) for a flawless check in with a service dog, unlike some past experiences at other airlines. Mom turned my TSA paperwork in, they added to my profile, we got the bulkhead seat for xtra room no charge. Happy activated!
@adiintl
Service dogs live a busy life. We are busy but still get downtime even tho I’m watching out for Mom. Sometimes I’m on call in case something happens and I’m usually always aware of what is happening, but not stressed about my work - this state of alertness is fun for me!
I am disabled with a TBI
I am a disability advocate
I work full-time running my company helping clients with disabilities
I travel for work
I am high functioning
I do charge for my services.
I do charge for my travel. Why?
Work/travel takes a toll. Please be considerate
TWs: Please! Stop writing/saying, "
#PTSD
, a condition associated w/ military combat." This prevents other trauma survivors from seeking help. Military combat is 1 & takes a spotlight for many reasons; we need to recognize other traumas! Combat is 1; not the only 1 or
#1
reason
Wearing a 1980's AC/DC t-shirt & working with Freshmen on Chemistry calculations.
Student: How old were you in 1980?
Me: I was born in 1964
Student: Wow! You're older than my grandmother!!
Student: Were you at Woodstock?
Other student: Just stop talking.
#hadtolaugh
#notdeadyet
1/2 Students w/ service dogs are being denied access to basic lab exp. e.g. Gen Chem & Gen Bio. This is unacceptable. There are easy accommodations to be made that make these labs inclusive to SD handlers. I got this message yesterday.
@sampson_dog
#AcademicChatter
#Science
@Sampson_dog
is a working Service Dog, the reason I earned a degree in Neuroscience, work in research, run a business & non-profit & advocate for ppl w/ disabilities in
#STEM
. Today b/c of him, I will meet thru zoom w/ a university in S. Africa to change policies to be inclusive
The current Marshal of Tombstone is Jim Adams, who is a former US Marine and retired from the Sierra Vista Police Dept as the Special Ops Bureau Commander in February 2011. He was a founding member of the SWAT Team there and served as the Sniper Element Leader.
When university administrators said Joey Ramp could not bring her service dog into the lab, she kitted him out in full protective equipment, taught him lab-specific behaviours and fought to help others in STEM use service dogs.
Scientist and her lab dog work to boost higher ed access for disabled. “Sampson, or a service dog, is not an accommodation; it’s essential, like a wheelchair is essential to a wheelchair user for mobility”
@sampson_dog
@tucsonstar
I was once called "Insistent," for fighting for the rights of service dog handlers in science. Yes. I am insistent! Equitable opportunities can happen with open minds.
Happy Monday, frens! Goals this week:
Help disabled scientists gain equitable access
Talk to universities and prepare Service Dogs in Labs policy/procedure and disability equitable research access presentation
Talk to US Senator about CDCs exclusionary language
Bring the happy!
Thread: I'm asked why I acknowledged disabled people & trauma survivors rather than providing a fluffy dog timeline cleanse. Often times these people feel unheard, unseen, or misunderstood. Their concerns & pain are not validated. Insecurity evokes anxiety and all of the what-ifs
My husband is here. Right now as the Marshal overseeing operations. As a former SWAT commander and Sp Ops sniper he knows what to do. I have faith. I’ve gotten calls/messages from LEO spouses, former partners of his, etc., checking on me. I want to hear his voice tho.
I am a Service Dog! Yesterday we flew AGAIN after the conference. This time we flew
@SouthwestAir
to San Diego. The flight attendants told me I was the Bestest! Boi! Ever!
Accessible Only? - Uhm.........I think NOT!
Accessibility FAIL! Suppose my service dog and I would need to climb over the table and chairs that block the door - if only the door was unlocked!
This is not uncommon for the record.
#DisabilityTwitter
Pinned my husband’s badge on this morning with a mourning band or a badge shroud. It represents honoring the life of an officer lost in the line of duty. Heartbreaking. 💙End of watch💙
Repost: A Border Patrol Agent was killed after colliding with a pole on an ATV near Douglas, Arizona. Sometimes, the dangers we face aren't what we expected. The price paid fighting an insurmountable battle is often unimaginable. Thank you for your service! 🤍 End Of Watch 🤍
Major score of the day! Rainbow vegan GF sprinkle donuts 50% off!
If anyone needs me I’ll be sitting on the floor with a huge glass of almond milk eating donuts. All the donuts!
#SaturdayGoal
#donuts