In March of 2020, as COVID-19 exploded across the country, teams of researchers fanned out to visit patients throughout North Carolina’s piedmont. They carried syringes and swabs. They entered million-dollar homes and dilapidated trailers. Like so many of their colleagues, these scientists were pivoting their research to address what had just been declared a pandemic. But among their equipment, nestled between the boxes of gloves and masks, was something critical to their work: filet mignon and bacon flavored Pup-Peroni treats. They were testing dogs and cats to determine whether domestic animals might be a vector for transmission, or whether we humans might pose a threat to our beloved pets.

Supported by the National Geographic COVID-19 Emergency Fund, I documented, via photographs and text, the efforts of Duke University's Molecular and Epidemiological Study of Suspected Infection as they visited active and recovering patients at their homes.

Dr. Liz Petzold pets a cat belonging to Peggy Smith, an active coronavirus patient, after testing the animal for coronavirus via an oral swab on September 16, 2020 in Henderson, North Carolina.

"General," a Corgi Chow Chow mix, is held by her owner, Rachel Thompson, as researchers prepare to draw blood as part of a Duke University study on September 3, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina.

"Mazie," a Goldendoodle, is fed peanut butter by her owner, Lauren Denny, to distract as researchers perform a rectal swab as part of a Duke University study coronavirus on September 3, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina.

"Harley," a Lynx Point Siamese, reacts as researchers draw blood as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Clayton, North Carolina.

Pet treats are seen next to a cooler used for storing samples in the trunk of a car used by researchers as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Clayton, North Carolina.

"Maya," an American Staffordshire Terrier, eats peanut butter as veterinarian Taylor Gin (left) and Dr. Liz Petzold (center-left) draw blood as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Cary, North Carolina.

"Maggie," a Lab Chow mix, reacts as researchers draw blood as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 3, 2020 in Raleigh, North Carolina. At right, Madelynn Brown and "Shirley" a Whippet Hound mix, look on.

"Bailey," a snowshoe siamese, looks on as researchers test other pets in the household as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Clayton, North Carolina.

Dr. Liz Petzold, center, comforts "Bailey," a snowshoe siamese, as the cat's owner, Michelle Griffin, looks on a lynx point siamese, following a blood draw as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Clayton, North Carolina. At right, "Fisher," a German Shorthaired Pointer, investigates.

"Boba" reacts as Dr. Liz Petzold bandages his leg following a blood draw as part of Duke University's MESSI Study on September 4, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Researchers pack away their equipment after performing blood draws and oral and rectal swabs on pets as part of a Duke University study on September 3, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina.