A black Labrador retriever named Bella has captured the hearts of millions on TikTok by proving she takes her owner’s studies very seriously.
Posted on September 19 by Olivia Hancock (@_olivia.hancock), Bella lies calmly on her back on Hancock’s bed, surrounded by a staged mock-clinical setting. The text over the video reads, “My dog loves being my patient for nursing school.” To date, the clip has racked up more than 2.2 million views and over 431,000 likes.
The nursing student is wearing sterile gloves and has placed white disposable sheets beneath Bella and across her legs, setting the scene as if she were treating a patient in a medical simulation.
Hancock can be heard speaking in clinical jargon as if treating an injured person, while Bella remains impressively still—occasionally tilting her head but never breaking character.
Viewers couldn’t get enough of Bella’s unflappable professionalism, with commenters praising the pup’s devotion and impeccable acting skills.
“Your [is] dog supporting your dreams!!!” one user commented, and another asked: “Does this technically make you a veterinarian too?!”
A third posted: “Bella said ‘I’m making sure she spends her first nursing check on me!'”
A popular quip with more than 42,000 likes read, “You must be paying him good,” to which Hancock playfully replied: “she gets free room and board.”
“[She] is like whatever I need to do to make sure we have a good life!” added another fan.
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Why Labradors Are Natural Helpers
Bella’s performance comes as no surprise to those familiar with her breed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that Labradors are renowned for their intelligence, eagerness to please, and strong work ethic. These traits make them invaluable in a range of fields, including:
- Service dog work, such as aiding those with disabilities.
- Search and rescue operations.
- Bomb and drug detection for law enforcement.
- Even acting, with a Labrador famously starring in the 2008 comedy-drama Marley & Me.
Bella’s patient role-playing skills are simply another example of how Labradors thrive when given a job to do.
The Real Costs of Dog Care
While Bella’s “room and board” is a running joke, taking care of a dog is no small feat. An AKC online survey of over 1,000 participants estimates that it costs around $2,489 per year to own a dog. This figure covers essentials like food, toys, treats, and vet checkups.
In addition, owners may spend an average of $2,127 in one-time expenses, including adoption fees, spaying or neutering, training, emergency vet visits, and basic supplies.
Newsweek reached out to @_olivia.hancock for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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