Dog Goes Viral for Playing “Patient” in Nursing Student’s Sim Lab

A black Labrador retriever named Bella is stealing hearts—and playing the perfect patient—in a viral TikTok that's winning over nurses and animal lovers alike.

The video, shared earlier this month by nursing student Olivia Hancock (@_olivia.hancock), shows Bella lying calmly on a mock-clinical setup on Hancock’s bed. The overlay text reads, “My dog loves being my patient for nursing school,” and clearly, the internet is loving it too.

Since posting, the video has drawn:

• 2.8+ million views

• 512,000+ likes

• Thousands of comments celebrating Bella's "commitment to care"

Sim Lab? More Like Sim Lab-rador

In the short clip, Hancock wears sterile gloves and sets the scene with disposable medical sheets. She narrates the situation using clinical language, calmly “treating” Bella as though she's in a nursing simulation.

Bella lies still throughout—on her back, legs gently extended, and head slightly tilted—mirroring the kind of patient cooperation that nursing students can only dream of during training.

While Bella never moves, her quiet focus and gentle expressions made the performance extra convincing. Some viewers even joked she deserved her own nursing degree.

Nurses and Dog Lovers Are Obsessed

The comment section quickly filled with admiration for Bella’s composure—and Hancock’s creativity:

• “Your dog supporting your dreams!!!”

• “Does this technically make you a veterinarian too?!”

• “Bella said, ‘I’m making sure she spends her first nursing check on me!’”

One viewer racked up nearly 50,000 likes with the quip:

“You must be paying him good.”

Hancock replied:

“She gets free room and board.”

The post also drew more humorous messages, like one featuring a wide-eyed dog with worry that read:

“I didn’t agree to no catheter!!”

Another joked:

“Obviously never had a catheter before or he/she would be bolting. 😂”

@_olivia.hancock bella is my favorite patient 💞 #dogsoftiktok #nursingstudent ♬ original sound - _livhancock

A Creative Spin on Nursing School Practice

Bella’s calm presence and Hancock’s resourcefulness have struck a chord with fellow nursing students, many of whom understand the pressure of hands-on skills training. Whether it’s finding ways to make studying more engaging or simply sharing a laugh, the video reflects how nursing students often get creative to stay sharp—and sane—through school.

🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!