Dogs Beyond the Lab

This week's episode features photographer/activist Robert Sturman, and of course, his good pal Otis - a former research hound. Robert shares how early exposure to the realities of animal testing shaped his compassion, eventually leading him to adopt Otis after seeing him through Beagle Freedom Project. While Otis is still triggered by loud noises like trains and fireworks, Rob explains all the ways he and Otis help each other every day.

We explore parallels between Robert’s long-standing work documenting human suffering (including yoga programs in prisons and the military) and his emerging activism for animals. As...

Angelique shared her journey of adopting research beagle Oliver from Kindness Ranch. Oliver is a deeply fearful dog who required months of patience before showing signs of progress. Her journey stands in stark contrast to easier adoption stories, illustrating what happens when an adopter commits to a dog with severe trauma and learned helplessness.

John, Lori and Chelsey discuss:

- Why Oliver entered a five-month decompression period where he slept over 20 hours daily

- The difficult decision to return Hunter when the two dogs proved incompatible in the home

- How...

Meet Jean Unger, a longtime Kindness Ranch volunteer and adopter whose life has been transformed by former research beagles. Jean shares how adopting her first lab beagle, Henry, opened her eyes to the hidden world of animals used in research and set her on a path of deep involvement with Kindness Ranch.

She describes working hands‑on with hundreds of dogs at the sanctuary, helping match them with the right homes, and the emotional push‑and‑pull of falling in love with dogs she doesn’t ultimately adopt. Jean talks about her current dogs, including Cinnamon, and the realiti...

Hosts John Ramer (Kindness Ranch), Lori Cohen (The Beagle Alliance), and Chelsey Marino (Keeper & Kin) talk with Christy Cooke, a teacher and “foster fail” adopter of Casey (formerly Fiat), a former research beagle.

Christy shares how her family, intending only to foster, instantly fell in love when Casey walked out of the kennel and into her daughter’s arms. She describes Casey as unusually “normal” for a former research dog—deeply trusting, social with strangers, and bonded to her canine “big brother” Finnegan, who helps her feel safe on walks. Over time, Casey has blossomed: celebrating her first Christmas...

Dogs Beyond the Lab’s first episode introduces John Ramer (Kindness Ranch, Wyoming), Lori Cohen (The Beagle Alliance, Manitoba), and Chelsey Marino (Keeper and Kin, North Carolina), and the unique collaboration among their organizations. They recount how a viral article about the 4,000 Envigo beagles and Lori’s supportive voicemail led to their partnership and later town halls and joint rescue efforts.  

The conversation explores the emotional toll of public backlash, the complexity of animal research, and their shared decision to take a non-adversarial, collaborative approach with laboratories to secure long‑term, systemic change while still getting individual dogs out...

This is Dogs Beyond The Lab.

This show explores what happens after rescue — when dogs raised in research facilities encounter freedom, trust, and everyday life for the very first time.

Featuring insights from John Ramer, Lori Cohen, and Chelsey Marino.

John Ramer is the Executive Director of Kindness Ranch, one of the leading sanctuaries in North America dedicated to former research animals. Working in animal rescue since 1999, he has devoted his career to helping animals transition from laboratories into safe, loving homes. John is widely respected for building compassionate partnerships that create alternatives to...