# Working rat

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{{Short description|Trained animal}}
{{about|rats working outside the scope of model organism|genetic, medical, and psychological testing|Laboratory rat}}

[[File:Trained HeroRAT analyzing sputum samples for tuberculosis.jpg|thumb|A [HeroRAT](/source/HeroRAT) can sniff [sputum](/source/sputum) samples to detect [tuberculosis](/source/tuberculosis).]]
A '''working rat''' is any rat which is trained for specific tasks as a [working animal](/source/working_animal). In many cases, working rats are domesticated [brown rat](/source/brown_rat)s. However, other species, notably the [Gambian pouched rat](/source/Gambian_pouched_rat), have also been trained to assist humans.

==Domesticated brown rats==
Pet rats derived from ''[Rattus norvegicus](/source/Rattus_norvegicus)'', such as [fancy rat](/source/fancy_rat)s and [laboratory rat](/source/laboratory_rat)s, have been trained for various jobs.

===Forensics===
In the [Netherlands](/source/Netherlands), police have begun using brown rats to sniff out [gunshot residue](/source/gunshot_residue) and [blood](/source/blood) at [crime scene](/source/crime_scene)s. Ed Kraszewski, spokesman for the task force, has said that the rats are easier and cheaper to train than dogs.<ref>Dutch cops are using brown rats to solve crimes.  The Associated Press. Thursday, September 5, 2013. [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dutch-cops-brown-rats-solve-crimes-article-1.1446855#ixzz2iYVoJFu5] (Retrieved on 2013-10-23)</ref><ref>Ratten helpen politie met sporenonderzoek.  Nederlandse Publieke Omroep.  5 september 2013.  (Retrieved on 2013-10-23)</ref>

===Entertainment===
[[File:Nieuhof-p-263-Googhelaars-Lach-van-Kley-plate-364.png|thumb|Rather large mice and rats performing in a [Chinese street circus troupe](/source/Chinese_circus), as seen by [Johan Nieuhof](/source/Johan_Nieuhof) in 1655-57<ref>{{citation|first1= Donald F. |last1= Lach |first2= Edwin J. |last2= Van Kley|title= Asia in the Making of Europe |place= Chicago |publisher= University of Chicago Press |year= 1994 |isbn= 978-0-226-46734-4}}. Volume III, "A Century of Advance", Book Four, "East Asia". Plate 364. In the caption, Lach and van Kleyn identify the performing animals as mice and rats.</ref>]]
Rats have been trained to appear in [magic](/source/magic_(illusion)) acts, [music video](/source/music_video)s, [movie](/source/movie)s, and [television show](/source/television_show)s.<ref>Hare, David. (2003-2-27) [http://lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2003/02/28/features/featurerats.txt ''The Rat Lady: A day in the life of Cathe Boudreau Alleger''] Las Vegas City Life. (Retrieved on 2009-3-10)</ref> Samantha Martin, a professional animal trainer, has claimed that rats are one of the easiest animals to train due to their adaptability, intelligence, and focus.<ref name="wilson">{{cite book|last=Wilson|first=Stacy Lynne|title=Animal Movies Guide|publisher=Running Free Press|date=April 20, 2007|pages=365–366|isbn=978-0-9675185-3-4|chapter=Samantha Martin: Exclusive Interview|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dGYzZLrBrS4C}}</ref>

===Laying computer link cable===

By being trained to carry a string through holes in walls, a rat can help economically wire a building for the [Internet](/source/Internet); afterwards, people use the string to pull the computer link cable through.<ref>Irvine, Martha. (1997-10-11) ''A Rat's Trail Rattie helps wire computer systems by going where no person can''. The Kansas City Star, Page E3.</ref>

===Therapy and assistance animals===

Domestic rats are used as [therapy animals](/source/Animal-assisted_therapy) for children with [developmental disabilities](/source/Developmental_disability). Their small size may be less threatening to some children, and [therapy](/source/therapy) centers with limited space can easily house a few rats.<ref>Panchak, Pam. (2008-6-12) [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08164/889198-55.stm ''Rats are bringing out best in kids with autism'']. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Retrieved on 2009-3-8)</ref>

Domestic rats have been trained as [service animal](/source/service_animal)s, such as to identify damaging muscle spasms for people whose ability to sense this has been compromised by their disability;<ref>Peter Day (2010-8-15) [http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/immediate-21147-says-debilitating.html ''Change in ADA regulations concerns local service-animal owners''].  Victorville Daily Press.  (Retrieved on 2010-8-18) Archived copy: [https://web.archive.org/web/20131019134734/http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/immediate-21147-says-debilitating.html] (Retrieved on 2018-10-5)</ref><ref>Bethany Barnes Arizona. ''Arizona clamping down on service animals''. Sonora News Service,  Apr 2, 2013 [https://www.gvnews.com/news/local/arizona-clamping-down-on-service-animals/article_d39aaf06-9c01-11e2-a768-001a4bcf887a.html] (Retrieved on 2018-10-5)</ref> domesticated rats can be more useful than [service dogs](/source/service_dogs) for purposes such as these due to their small size and lack of aggression.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. ''ADA Requirements: Service Animals. ''[https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm] (Retrieved on 2018-10-5)</ref><ref>AP Archive. Published on 30 Jul 2015 ''Hiyo Silver the rat helps owner cope with medical condition''. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-REtv_tEEk0] (Retrieved on 2018-10-5)</ref>

==Gambian pouched rats==
{{main|APOPO}}
A [Belgian](/source/Belgium) non-government organization, [APOPO](/source/APOPO), trains [Gambian pouched rat](/source/Gambian_pouched_rat)s (''Cricetomys gambianus'') to sniff out [land mine](/source/land_mine)s and [tuberculosis](/source/tuberculosis). The trained pouched rats are called [HeroRATS](/source/HeroRATS). Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide commit to "adopt" rats and pay to support them.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

Category:Working animals
Category:Muroidea
Category:Rats

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Working rat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_rat) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_rat?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.