Dogs for the Deaf Trains First Hearing/Autism Dog

Dogs for the Deaf recently placed its first dually trained Hearing/Autism Dog. Ginger, a black Labrador, was rescued from a shelter and was trained to be an Autism Assistance Dog. Being a short, blocky Labrador, she learned to be an excellent "anchor" when the trainer playing the autistic child started to try to run away. Ginger would sit and not move at all. She also loved to play "hide and seek," practicing to look for where the autistic child was hiding.

At this point, it was decided that she would be the perfect dog for Danielle, one of our previous Hearing Dog recipients whose first Hearing Dog had passed away. Danielle not only is deaf, but she is also a physician and teacher who works with autistic children.

So we next expanded Ginger's skills and taught her to respond to the sounds needed to be a Hearing Dog.

During the placement Ginger started alerting her new partner to sounds, and she also began accompanying Danielle to work. The affect on the autistic patients and students was immediate. The students were more calm, and one little boy even came up and sat on Danielle's lap in order to pet Ginger. This was a milestone event for this autistic child.

Autism Assistance Dogs

In 2008, Dogs for the Deaf launched a new program for children with autism. Specially trained dogs will be teamed with families affected by autism. This program will enhance the lives and increase the safety of these children, giving parents peace of mind. These dogs will be trained to prevent the child from dashing into the street or other unsafe situations, while also providing social benefits that will include raising social awarentess and lessening the stigma associated with autism. Dogs will also create a companionship bond, a sense of calmness in the child, and increase social interaction when in public.

All of our specially trained dogs are trained, placed, and followed up on FREE OF CHARGE for the life of the team. Dogs for the Deaf depends solely on donations to support its programs. No public funding or federal grants are received. Dogs for the Deaf's investment includes rescuing and training the dogs, reviewing and selecting qualified applicants for placement, working with the team during transition, and continuing support and help for the life of the team. Although this investment varies, the average cost is estimated at over $25,000 per team.

Wondering what an Autism Assistance Dog does? Well, here is one in action! This is a news story from our local t.v. station, KDRV channel 12, about our Autism Assistance Dog program.

Dogs for the Deaf rescues dogs that may otherwise be euthanized from animal shelters primarily on the West Coast and in the Northwest. Since 1977, Dogs for the Deaf has rescued and placed over 3,000 dogs in homes as Hearing Dogs, Miracle Mutts, and Career Change Dogs.

If you'd like additional information on any of our specially trained dogs, please contact us at:
Dogs for the Deaf
10175 Wheeler Road
Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 826-9220
1-800-990-3647
info@dogsforthedeaf.org