Dirty Dog, 2016

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Lauren Lee as part of Access+Ability.

Bathing can be a frightening activity for people with Alzheimer’s, whose dignity and privacy may be compromised. Dirty Dog is a bathing companion kit made of microfiber sponge accompanied by black charcoal soap. When the soap is applied to the dog, it appears dirty, shifting the caregiver’s narrative to “let’s wash the dog.” While bathing the dog, the soap lathers onto the bather as well. The responsibility of caring for and washing someone else gives the person a sense of purpose in the bathroom, and takes the focus off their own bathing.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Access+Ability.