Pets Come to the Rescue of NIH Teleworkers
Image
“How NOT to social distance,” notes Jennifer Collins, a health specialist in NIEHS’s Division of Extramural Research and Training.
Image
“My telework colleague Arthur insists on sleeping on my desk, and he snores!” said Dr. Stephanie Smith-Roe, a genetic toxicologist in NIEHS’s Biomolecular Screening Branch.
Image
"Our supervisor and smart dog Bliss chills on the couch getting ‘educated’ while practicing social distancing,” said Meredith Daly, NICHD senior media relations officer.
Image
"I like having lunch with Mom!” says Ali Macaw, enjoying a cracker during Bonnie Earnhardt of NIEHS’s lunch break.
Image
Providing a metaphor for many teleworkers these days, Basil asks, “Can we go outside yet?” He belongs to Dr. Serena Dudek of NIEHS’s Neurobiology Laboratory.
Image
“Cabot seems happy that I’m working at home, if only to gloat about napping all day,” said Daniel Silber of the Clinical Center’s Office of Communications.
Image
My coworker Seryy (Russian for grey) is fuzzy and ran away when I tried to get her to wear a mask,” said Cheryl Thompson of NIEHS.
Image
Day 1...I love you; don’t ever leave me! Day 30...I don’t understand why you never leave! reports Korey Stevanovic, a biologist in NIEHS’s Neurobiology Laboratory.
Image
“Help, I am being held hostage by a giant cat,” says Peter Lyster, NIGMS.
Image
"Well he’s not exactly a ‘pup,’ but Skipper has been keeping on top of my 16-year-old daughter Jessica while she settles into the new remote schooling routine (after all, somebody has to…),” notes Brian Steyskal, a contractor at NIGMS.
Image
“Science class” support dog Tuck does his job for Whitney Murphy, operations coordinator at NIEHS.
Image
“Misty had developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and gone through 5 rounds of CHOP therapy as well as 5 rounds of Tanovia but had to be euthanized a month or so after this photo because her lymphoma kept becoming resistant to the drugs,” said Dr. Jack Bishop, a research geneticist with NIEHS’s National Toxicology Program. “She was a wonderful companion that we adopted as a rescue 5 years earlier from the SPCA. She loved everyone, but not other dogs that much. We miss her and have now gotten a new puppy but will never be able to replace her.”
Image
Lexi and Porsche (Maine Coon sisters) keep their human (NIEHS scientific director Dr. Darryl Zeldin) safe during the COVID pandemic.
Image
Talk about supervision! Fern parks her chin on the elbow of Joseph Schumaker, eRA communication specialist in NIH’s Office of Extramural Research.
Image
Cider helps take meeting notes for Sarah Fichter, senior writer/editor at CIT.
Image
"Finn was rescued on Apr. 16, 2016, as a very sick puppy and has maintained good health and Good Boy status since then,” said Dr. Bevin Blake, NIEHS. “He has enjoyed all of the bonus walks over the past few weeks, but his absolute favorite thing in the world is running around with a tennis ball and never giving it back.”
Image
“This is my 3-pound smile-maker, Daisy,” said Christine Bruske Flowers, director, NIEHS Office of Communications and Public Liaison.
Image
“Here’s a pic of my handsome boy, Charlie,” said Jennika Wells of the Office of Patient Recruitment at the Clinical Center.
Image
“Anyone ready for a play time break?” asks Chief, who belongs to Bryan Duran, a manager in NIEHS’s Office of Information Technology.
It took a global pandemic to out the throngs of NIH’ers who—given the photos on this page—obviously can’t bear to work alone.
There is a popular bumper sticker showing the image of a paw, with the caption “Who rescued who?” As you can see, many employees forced to telework by the threat of COVID-19 find solace and companionship in their pets.