Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research [Hardcover]

The remarkable (Dr. Jane Goodall) story of a beagles past, and the future of animal research

Winner of an ASJA Book Award

When journalist Melanie D.G. Kaplan adopted her beagle Hammy, all she knew was that he had spent nearly four years in a research lab. Curious to know more about this gentle creatures past, as well as the broader world of animal research, Kaplanwith Hammy in towembarks on a quest for answers. How did Hammy end up in a research facility? Why are we still using millions of animals a year in experiments? What have we learned from them? Is there another way? 

InLab Dog, Kaplan investigates the breeding and use of beagles for biomedical research, drug and product testing, and education. She takes readers on a journey, peeking behind laboratory doors and visiting with researchers, activists, ethicists, veterinarians, lawmakers, and innovators. Along the way, she finds thoughtful and caring humans on all sides of the debate, explores promising developments in nonanimal testing, and discovers puzzle pieces from Hammys past. Equal parts journalism and love story,Lab Dogoffers a nuanced view on our relationship with a species that we both love and exploit, and a reason to hope for a better future for all. 

Melanie D.G. Kaplanis an award-winning independent journalist whose travel and science writing has appeared inThe Atlantic,The Washington Post,The Wall Street Journal, andNational Parksmagazine. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School, a former MIT Knight Science Journalism fellow, and a third-generation native of Washington, DC. Kaplan has lived most of her life with hounds. 

Winner of an ASJA Book Award