Testimonials

 "My name is Madeline Jones. I’m a junior bioengineering and neuroscience double major at Syracuse University. I just wanted to reach out and thank you for being an advocate for people with service dogs and accessibility in the lab. I have a golden retriever named Copernicus who is my service dog. I believe he does many of the same things Sampson does. You have been a big role model for me as I have gone through my undergrad degree. I am starting my thesis research this semester on nerve regeneration and I will be working in a lab at the Syracuse Biomaterials Institute. I look forward to having you and Sampson as an example while Copernicus and I grow as researchers.  Thanks, Madeline Jones "

-  Madeline Jones

Bioengineering and neuroscience student

Syracuse University

 "The amazing Joey Ramp gave us a wonderful talk on inclusion & service dog handlers. Every university should consult her. We were honored to have her & hope to invite her again. Do yourself a favor & contact her! "

-  Monica Marie Arroyo, PhD

President, Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 336

Associate Professor of Chemistry

Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico

 "My lab and department were so lucky to have Joey join us for an engaging and lively discussion about service dogs in science labs as part of our monthly Equity, Diversity and Inclusion series.  

Many of my group have commented on how helpful and enlightening the discussion was.  It started an important conversation about access to laboratory spaces.  It made people realize the very large barriers to lab environments for people with service dogs and the impacts that these barriers would have for the educational experiences of our students.  It stimulated sharing of resources and policies from our institution to ensure that everyone understands the requirements to accommodate students and how we can better meet diverse student needs. 

 Joey’s personal stories certainly resonated with those that attended and have us thinking about accessibility with a brand new perspective.  This conversation will impact us long after the meeting ended.  Thanks Joey for sharing your experiences with us! "

-     Dr. Joanna Wilson, Professor, Department of Biology, McMaster University 

 "As the Program Chair for a national organization of Biology and Chemistry lab supervisors, we were overjoyed when we were able to confirm Joey as a speaker for our conference this last July! 

Given the task of becoming Subject Matter Experts in an ever-increasing number of arenas can seem overwhelming and it was an honor and a privilege to have a true expert in the field teach at our annual conference! 

There is no one who is better to help evoke compassion and understanding for the needs of many of our students and describe, in an informative and entertaining way, the path to mutual success of both institutions and alumni."

-    Thomas, Program Chair for the National Association of Scientific Material    Managers (NAOSMM)

“This year, the Office of Student Accommodations (disability services office) received feedback that faculty had concerns about how to apply the University’s Service Animal policy in laboratory settings. As a University that specializes in STEM and healthcare education, all of our students with disabilities need to be able to access laboratory environments. Faculty and staff agreed that greater guidance was needed so that students who have service animals could be included in laboratory courses.

Unsure of what to do, I contacted Joey Ramp for advice; she provided excellent insight and practical tips on how to develop procedures for service animals in laboratory environments. Keeping in mind Ms. Ramp’s suggestions, I met with the University’s Environmental Health and Radiation Safety department and faculty representatives to develop a guidance for faculty. After a few months of brainstorming, collaborating, and revising, we have officially established a guidance on the use of service animals in laboratory environments! For those of you who do not have any procedures concerning service animals in laboratory environments, I encourage you to start the conversation at your university!"

-  Kaitlyn Martin

Program Coordinator for Student Accommodations

University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

" Another difference made!!!
Maxi is not the first dog in a laboratory as is Sampson the Service Dog but thanks to Sampson’s magnificent handler Joey Ramp we made a difference and Maxi can attend in the laboratories for the first time in my university UAGM Puerto Rico."

- Maki, Science and Technology Student  

"Nelly [SD] joined our lab today! She wore her boots, lab coat, and goggles and sat on her rubber mat. Thank you for all your help!"

- Abby (16 years old)

"In today's culture, I think it is no longer an option that 'it can't work' but instead 'how will it work.' The basic question regarding the stress level of rodents when a [SD] dog enters the room will have to be answered. You have worked very hard to answer all my questions. Thank you."

- Patricia, Augusta University

 "I work for the department of Environmental Health and Safety here at UCSB. 

Yesterday I had a call from a biological teaching lab regarding service dogs access to laboratories and I referred them to you.

However, I thought I could connect you with Mrs. Joey Ramp from the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Illinois. Joey is successfully working with a service dog, Sampson, in Biosafety Level 2 laboratory settings. Joey collaborates with universities and collages nationwide and help them to develop service dogs safety protocols for laboratories, which allow service dog handlers equal opportunities for education and professional development.

Joey would be happy to visit our campus and work with our university to help us accommodate the needs of service dog handlers." 

- Nelly, Laboratory Safety Specialist, UC Santa Barbara

"I wanted to thank you for all of your help with getting my service dog ….. into the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory. The PPE works great and I appreciated your time in doing the risk management so we could find a safe place for her to rest. I completed my course and it was a great experience. Thank you for your patience and your time!"

- Jeannette, US Navy Veteran, UIUC

"My daughter has had her service dog for three years. They teamed up when she was in high school. Gracie was the first service dog ever in her district. The school team was more than nervous, but with using Joey's counsel it became a blessing to everyone. Her chemistry teacher, especially, loved that my daughter was using the personal protective gear recommended by Joey for my daughter's service dog. Now, my daughter is starting college. Again, she's the first with a service dog in a lab. With Joey's advice behind, everyone is happy to make this work. My daughter plans on being a pharmacist, so she'll continue breaking ground with her service dog in science. So grateful for Joey." 

- Grateful Mom, Illinois