Notes from Robin - Winter 2009

Reflecting back & looking forward

2008 - what a year of highs and lows, challenges and triumphs. As I wrote in a column last year, we had several office staff changes early in 2008 which necessitated hiring and training new staff. This took time and energy and caused us to get behind in some of our regular work. (Thank you for your patience during this time.) The positive side of this challenge is that we now have a wonderful, skilled group of people in our office to take care of all the necessary paper, telephone, and computer support needs of our mission. As you communicate with them and get to know them, I am confident that you will find them friendly, very competent, and willing and able to help you with your questions and requests.

In addition, as a few of you might be aware, there were some very significant changes in the laws regarding accounting and reporting requirements for non-profits. The purpose, and positive side of these changes is to require more accountability and transparency from all non-profit organizations. This, of course, is excellent and something we all want. At DFD, we have always made sure that we followed the laws and regulations as mandated by each state. Not all non-profits have that same standard, and hopefully these new regulations will bring them into line. The challenge came because there was a great deal of subjective interpretation on what the changes actually meant. The lawyers and CPA’s at various training workshops couldn’t even agree on what some of the new rules meant! Implementing these changes and new regulations required a lot of time, hair pulling, and even hiring an additional staff person in the finance department. I am so proud of the incredible job our staff did under difficult circumstances to pull this all together.

Our efforts to expand our facility have been both a challenge and a triumph. The challenge being how long it is taking to get through all the bureaucratic red tape, and the triumph being that we are making progress—albeit slowly.

The triumphs and highs of the year were the dogs we were able to save and the people we were able to help because of you, our faithful and generous donors. Even with all the uncertainty and upheaval in the financial world, you came through and stretched yourselves to make sure you continued your support of our mission. The wonderful stories and letters in this newsletter again validate the incredible value and importance of Hearing Dogs, Autism Assistance Dogs, Miracle Mutts, Harmony’s Hounds, and Career Change Dogs. Donations from July, 2008 through December, 2008, are down a little from where we hoped they would be. However, donations for the month of December, itself, were above December, 2007, so we are encouraged that this trend will maintain so that we can meet our budget requirements.

Our Training Department has also been working extra hard in order to find suitable dogs for our various programs. Our new Autism Assistance Dog program is progressing well. Our first dog is trained, and we are looking for a suitable applicant. We want to do our first few placements in this program within a day’s drive of our training facility so that we can keep a close watch on the progress of the teams and make sure that we are doing things correctly. As with anything new, we are bound to need to make some course corrections initially. I truly believe this is going to be an incredibly positive addition to DFD.

For 2009, we are looking forward to:

• helping even more people and dogs
• completing Phase 1 of our expansion plan with an addition to our office so that staff and volunteers can work more efficiently and are not jammed so closely together
• having you continue your commitment to helping with this important and necessary work.

During 2009, if each of you would bring in at least two new people to our DFD family, we will be able to meet these goals. You can do this through tours, memorial/honor donations, social groups, etc. With your continuing help, we will all succeed together.

Robin Dickson
President/CEO
Dogs for the Deaf, Inc.

Placement - Arlo the Hearing Dog

Arlo, an adorable, 2 year old, Shih Tzu, came to DFD in 2008 from a shelter in Yreka, California. After successfully completing almost 6 months of training with DFD Certified Audio Canine Instructor, Carrie, Arlo was ready to go to work as a Hearing Dog.

When each dog is almost finished with training, the trainer reviews the files of the applicants on the waiting list to find the very best match for each dog's particular personality, strengths, and talents. Carrie found that match in Sherry W. of Washington.

Carrie and Arlo traveled to Washington where Carrie began showing Sherry how to care for Arlo and maintain his training. As you can see from the picture, these two became fast friends

Congratulations, Arlo and Sherry!

Lady Brings Smiles & Sound

Karen C. lives with her husband in Hampton, Virginia, and has been deaf for almost 18 years. She works as a government contractor. Losing her hearing, probably due to autoimmune disease, was very frustrating for Karen. She knew she was missing so many sounds and things going on around her, and she wanted some help. Karen applied for a Hearing Dog and went through our screening process. Volunteer interviewers went to her home and talked with Karen and Robert. The interviewers videotaped the home and had Karen and Robert answer all of our questions. After evaluation, Karen was approved for a dog and went on our waiting list. Finally, we had the right dog ready for Karen. That dog was Lady, a two-year-old red Spaniel/Doxie cross. We found Lady at the West End Shelter in California. Her friendliness and sweet temperament attracted our trainer to her, and, after further evaluation, Lady came to DFD. She received medical care, additional evaluation, and then began training. She loved learning to take her trainer to the various sounds. She learned to respond to the smoke alarm, telephone, oven timer, name call, and door knock. Lady was also taught the important obedience skills so she would be well behaved.

Lady was then matched with Karen and plans were made for Lady and her trainer to travel to Virginia. Karen was so excited; she could hardly wait for them to arrive. The trainer and Lady arrived at Karen's home, and they began teaching Karen how to maintain Lady's training and how to properly care for Lady. Karen was absolutely thrilled when Lady alerted her to the doorbell while she was making breakfast the second day of the placement. They had only practiced this sound once the day before, and there were a lot of distractions. Lady didn't let this bother her; she immediately alerted Karen and took her to the door. The smile on Karen's face couldn't have been wider!