Disabled Woman Shows How Her Service Dog Helps Her Shop: ‘Goodest Boy’

A video of a service dog Helping a wheelchair user on a shopping trip has gone viral on TikTok, where it has received a wave of praise from users on the video-sharing platform.

the images shared by the TikTok account of the dog named Bracken (under the username assistantdog_bracken) had received 1.1 million views and 134,000 likes at the time of writing.

The video showed Bracken help the wheelchair user with various duties including getting ready for the trip by taking his jacket and belt to the owner.

The original poster said Bracken was “trained to help me get dressed and undressed,” as the video showed the dog taking off her pants and later returning items to its owner.

The video also shows the dog pressing the buttons on the elevator and sitting with two legs on the owner’s lap so that the owner can clip the leash around his neck.

A December 2020 study published in the peer-reviewed PLOS ONE magazine notes that, “In addition to the functional tasks for which service dogs are trained, there is a growing literature describing their benefits for the psychosocial health and well-being of their handlers.”

The study’s analysis of 147 statistical comparisons in psychological health, quality of life, social health and vitality found that 30 percent of the comparisons made were positive, with “having a service dog associated with improved psychosocial functioning in persons with disabilities.”

The study added that “positive findings were identified in all domains and subdomains of psychosocial health and well-being.”

In a caption shared alongside the latest TikTok video, the wheelchair user also commented, “How crazy is it that in 2022 buses can only fit one wheelchair user at a time?!” explaining in the video that there was already one wheelchair user on the bus arriving to travel to the shopping area.

According to the voiceover in the video, the bus driver allowed her to fold her wheelchair to get on the bus. The user said: “We don’t allow our dogs on the seats but the moment we got on the bus there was no room at all for Bracken as a buggy had folded behind it. The driver gave us permission and I then wiped the seat,” reads the caption shared with the video.

“Bracken loves his job and without him this just wouldn’t be possible,” the user said at the end of the video.

Several TikTok users have shared praise for the “smart” and “great” dog for his helpfulness.

Heather Moir said, “Excuse me, that’s not a service dog. That’s your bestie x,” in a comment that received 3,900 likes at the time of writing.

User Fiona Lawson135 wrote, “Wow, he’s awesome, I didn’t know he could help you get dressed too,” in a comment that got 2,930 likes.

The original poster replied: “Yeah! It’s a little hard to show that in a video, which is why I haven’t done it yet, but one of Bracken’s favorite tasks is taking my socks off,” in a comment that got 723 likes got.

Nicola Green wrote: “The best, smartest boy”, in a comment that got 872 likes.

HelenaFenski said “service dogs are just so awesome…very smart, beautiful boy Bracken.”

Intelligent Animals

JR said, “Bracken is such a good kid! So intelligent, amazing what they can do,” to which the original poster replied, “I had no idea how much you could teach them before I got Bracken. The possibilities are endless.”

Several also emphasized the need for more space for wheelchair users on buses.

Amanda said, “I totally agree that buses should start housing more than one wheelchair user at a time!!”, in a response that received 1,354 likes, to which the dog owner replied: “Absolutely! I can’t get along with any wheelchair user friends because we should take separate buses!”

Bea also agreed, saying “it’s ridiculous that buses are limited to 1 wheelchair, but glad you have a decent bus driver who lets you both do that! Bracken is such a good boy!”

Jeannette added: “kudos to the bus driver (and Bracken)”, in a comment that got 413 likes. The dog owner said, “I know, I was so relieved that he let me fold my seat! He also told me to put Bracken on the seat because we had a buggy behind us when we got in.”

news week contacted the original poster (under the username assistantdog_bracken) for comment.