A visit to the aquarium took a touching turn when Forest, a golden-retriever service dog, encountered the facility's dolphins.
The dolphins' unusually strong and curious response to Forest, captured in a viral TikTok video by his owner Ashton McGrady, has left many wondering if they sensed his unique purpose. McGrady, 33, told Newsweek about the video, which has over received 2.5 million views, and what she believed drew the dolphins to Forest.
"You won't believe how these dolphins reacted to my service dog," McGrady captioned the video. "I think the dolphins knew he was special."
McGrady provided insight into the incredible canine companion that captured the dolphins' attention.
"Forest is my golden retriever service dog," she said. "He's task-trained to assist with my disabilities, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), syringomyelia, and autism spectrum disorder." Forest performs a wide array of vital tasks, including "cardiac alert, deep pressure therapy, retrieving medication, closing doors or cabinets, removing clothing, meltdown response," and more.
The interaction with the dolphins was a first for Forest. "This was the first time he'd ever interacted with marine animals and definitely the first time meeting dolphins," McGrady said, adding that it was "truly something special … It felt like an unusually strong connection—almost like they sensed Forest's purpose."
Watching the moment unfold, McGrady was deeply moved by Forest's disposition.
"I was completely in awe," she said. "Forest was so calm and curious, and the dolphins were clearly engaged … As someone who relies on Forest for so much, seeing him connect so instinctively with another species was cool. It felt like the dolphins could sense the gentleness in him, or maybe even his purpose. It was a reminder that empathy and connection can transcend species."
In the comments section, one former aquarium employee weighed in on the exact phenomenon McGrady witnessed: "I used to work at an aquarium! Dolphins LOVESSSS dogs. They don't understand them. Then find them SOOOO interesting. Same things with strollers. They can feel them roll around with echolocation. It's beautiful," they wrote.
McGrady said she hopes this viral moment helps educate the public about the vital role of service dogs. They aren't pets, she added, but "highly trained medical tools and life partners for disabled people." And while Forest is cute, his function in her life is essential to her well-being.
"Service dogs do so much more than people realize," McGrady concluded. "[He is] essential to my safety and independence. These dogs perform complex tasks … their presence can truly be lifesaving."