Forest, a 6-year-old golden retriever service dog, has a knack for winning hearts everywhere he goes. After going viral in March 2024 for meeting his hero, Pluto, on a Disney Cruise, the lovable pup is once again in the spotlight—this time for an unexpected friendship with dolphins.
A viral Instagram video posted on his owner Ashton McGrady’s account, @radinatlygolden, shows Forest standing at the glass of a massive tank at the Georgia Aquarium. To everyone’s surprise, a dolphin quickly swam over, locking eyes with Forest as if instantly intrigued. Moments later, another dolphin joined in, and the pair curiously studied the golden retriever while Forest tilted his head back at them in wonder. The heart-melting clip has already racked up more than 1.5 million views.
“It was almost immediate—the dolphin noticed him right away,” says McGrady, an accessibility consultant who trained Forest with professional support. “It felt like they truly connected. I had tears in my eyes because it was just so pure and magical.”
The dolphins lingered near Forest for quite a while, even though the area was crowded with visitors. For McGrady, it was another reminder of how animals seem drawn to her service dog wherever they go.
“Going to a zoo or aquarium with a service animal is unlike any other experience,” she explains. “The animals are so curious—it feels interactive in a really special way.”
Since joining McGrady in 2020, Forest has changed her life, providing independence and constant companionship. Trained in scent-based medical alerts and other tasks, he allows her to navigate the world with confidence—whether on cruises, at Broadway shows, or in national parks.
Viral moments like his dolphin encounter also give McGrady a chance to spread awareness about service animals. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support animals—only service dogs have public access rights.
“People don’t always understand that distracting a service dog can be dangerous,” she notes. “They’re working, and their focus can be lifesaving.”
For McGrady, every adventure with Forest is more than just a sweet story—it’s an opportunity to educate and inspire. And judging by the dolphins’ reaction, it seems even the animal kingdom recognizes there’s something extraordinary about him.
