A rescued beagle’s first glimpse of the ocean is striking a chord online, after a video showed the former laboratory dog paddling instinctively on his first trip to the beach.

A clip shared by Animal Watch, @annekasvenskaofficial, shows the beagle at a beach in East Hampton, New York, seeing the ocean and open water for the first time.

The caption said: “This cute little guy was taken to the beach… for the first time and he started swimming! Even if it was more of an air swim, you can’t deny how heartwarming this sight is. His little paws paddling by instinct; but better yet, imagine how healthy and happy he feels by the ocean and breathing clean air.”

The post said the dog was one of 20 beagles saved by NYC Second Chance Rescue after being released from Ridglan Farms in Wisconsin.

The video has now been seen close to 5 million times and drew supportive comments from viewers.

One commenter wrote: “Can’t imagine spending your life thinking that the entire world is a cage in a lab, just to come face to face with an ocean.”

Another wrote: “He dreamed of such big adventures and the ocean and now he is there.”

Many others said the 45-second clip made them cry out of joy.

Ridglan Farms is a breeding and testing facility in Wisconsin that drew scrutiny and violent clashes with protesters involving pepper spray and tear gas.

Research facilities such as Ridglan Farms often use beagles for animal testing because of their small size and docile and trusting nature.

Nearly 1,500 other beagles will be finding new homes after Big Dog Ranch Rescue, alongside the Center for a Humane Economy, agreed to buy the dogs from the facility.

PBS reported that Ridglan Farms will be giving up its state breeding license to avoid felony charges of animal mistreatment, although the company denied mistreating animals.

Prosecutors found that the research facility did violate veterinary standards.

Read more from The Cool Down.