The Story of Marty of The Marty Project

There is a story behind The Marty Project, and it begins with a beagle named Marty. A lemon-colored beagle with the softest ears, most gentle demeanor, and biggest brown eyes.

Marty was born and bred for experimentation. At the age of only eight months, he was sold from the dog breeding facility called Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin to a testing facility in Colorado where he endured five years of pharmacokinetic (drug) testing. His vocal cords had been cut out at Ridglan, and he suffered day in and day out having procedures done to him for purposes that remain unknown. From his cage, he would bark and bark, but no one could hear him to relieve his pain and fear.

But, Marty was one of the lucky ones. Not only did he survive, he was given a second chance after the experiment was over to be a dog. Most laboratory dogs don’t get this chance.

At the age of six, Marty was given to a rescue organization in Wyoming where he saw the grass, sun, and blue sky for the first time in his life. This is also where he first met his human mom Ellie Hansen, co-founder of The Marty Project.

Marty was severely traumatized from his years in the testing laboratory and didn't trust people. It's ironic, because Marty became one of the most loving dogs to people Ellie ever met. He loved being loved.

While it took Marty many months to trust people after his ordeal, he was able to heal. With Marty by her side, Ellie spent the next decade advocating for dogs used in human product safety testing. Marty inspired Ellie to write the book Laboratory Dogs Rescued: From Test Subjects to Beloved Companions. He also inspired her to start an educational podcast dedicated to ending the use of dogs used in human product safety testing. Marty was always with Ellie while she worked, sitting in his special chair right behind her.

In June 2023, Marty passed away at the age of 15. He had lived nine happy, adventurous years with Ellie and the rest of his family who filled his life with so much love and joy. While heartbroken, Ellie knew that Marty’s story needed to live on to help others.

The Marty Project is more than a mission—it’s a promise. How will we write the final chapter of human product safety testing on dogs? The pen is in our hands, and so is the power to create a future where compassion wins. For every dog like Marty, for every soul who has endured, we owe them nothing less than the very best of our hearts, our voices, and our actions. Because they deserve a world that finally chooses kindness.

The Marty Project is more than a mission—it’s a promise. How will we write the final chapter of human product safety testing on dogs?