Update - Recent Placements

Ledo the Torpedo

Meet Ledo. He joined the DFD family in late March of 2009. Most pictures of little Ledo come out blurry because this guy is always on the move... and that is why we call him Ledo the Torpedo!

Ledo was placed with a recipient in Oregon as a Hearing Dog in October of 2009. He will provide his recipient with sound awareness, as well as fun, love and companionship.

Congratulations, Ledo!

Update - Recent Placements

Ryan D., New Jersey, recently lost his first Hearing Dog, Digger O’ Doyle, to old age, and he knew he needed another dog to help him with sound awareness and independence. He is now an accountant and ready to move out on his own, and a Hearing Dog would be a big help with this. Deaf since birth, Ryan knew how much Digger had helped him through his final high school years and into early adulthood, and he wanted to continue having the benefits of a dog trained to alert him to things happening around him. The right dog for Ryan came along sooner than expected. Pippy, a four year old, female, Papillion cross had been placed a couple of years ago with a woman in Texas. Recently the woman developed health problems that made it impossible for her to keep Pippy, so Pippy was returned to us. After evaluation and some refresher training, Pippy was ready to go again, and Ryan was the right applicant for Pippy. Pippy and her trainer arrived at Ryan’s home, and she quickly learned that Ryan was the one she needed to alert out of the five people living in the home. Both Ryan and Pippy grew in confidence every time she alerted him to a sound. Ryan was so happy to again be aware of what was happening around him. Ryan and Pippy are becoming a real team. Pippy is enjoying the love and care she is receiving, and Ryan loves his new partner and the help she is providing.

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

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!

Hearing Dog Placement

Congratulations Dijon!

Dijon, a two 1/2 year old Bichon Frise, came to Dogs for the Deaf from Paws across the Northwest in December of 2007.

After working hard with DFD Trainer, Erik A., and showing a definite aptitude for his new career, Dijon was ready to be placed as a Hearing Dog.

In October of 2008 Dijon was placed with his recipient, Jessica of California. Erik reports that Jessica and Dijon are a great pair and took to each other right away. Dijon has found his forever home, and Jessica is benefiting from the sound awareness that Dijon brings to her life.

KKG

31st Anniversary!

Today, December 3, 2008, Dogs for the Deaf celebrates our 31st anniversary!

Dogs for the Deaf (DFD) was founded in 1977 by the late Roy G. Kabat, a long-time Hollywood and circus animal trainer who raised animals for motion pictures and television shows including "Dr. Doolittle" and "Born Free." His daughter, Robin Dickson, is his successor and the CEO/President of Dogs for the Deaf.

Our dogs are chosen from animal shelters, where they might otherwise be euthanized. The dogs are usually mixed breeds, small to medium in size, and up to 36 months of age. The trainers look for dogs that are friendly, energetic, healthy, and confident. Those passing the aptitude tests are brought to our facility for a medical evaluation and vaccinations. All dogs are spayed/neutered and then entered into an intensive four to six months of training. The dogs learn to respond to verbal and hand signals and are taught to work for toys and affection.

Dogs are placed FREE of charge with applicants nationwide and in Canada.

Dogs for the Deaf rescues/trains/places five types of dogs to help with different disabilities, challenges, and needs.

Hearing Dogs are trained to alert people to household sounds that are necessary for everyday safety and independence. They are trained to make physical contact and lead their person to the source of the sound.

Autism Assistance Dogs are trained to enhance the safety of children with Autism by acting as an anchor and preventing the child from bolting into unsafe environments such as traffic, bodies of water, etc.

Miracle Mutts (special dogs for special people) are dogs who either originally came to DFD to be Hearing Dogs but did not like the work, or dogs from shelters that for a particular reason do not meet the criteria to be Hearing Dogs. They are still wonderful, loving dogs. After veterinary care, training, and confidence building, these dogs are placed with children and adults who have special physical, mental, or emotional needs such as depression, loneliness, stroke, seizures, mental or emotional challenges, or any of a wide range of needs.

Harmony's Hounds (dogs with special needs) are dogs we rescue from shelters and, during the medical evaluation or later in training, are found to have a special physical or emotional need that prevents them from completing training. These dogs need someone willing to provide a stable, loving home and possible medical care. In the right environment, these dogs can thrive and provide lots of love and companionship.

Career Change Dogs are wonderful dogs who are happy and healthy but just not interested in working for a living. These dogs make loving pets and companions and are looking for their forever homes.

So... help us celebrate our special day. Visit our Dogs for the Deaf website and read more information on our organization. While you are there, read our newsletter, send an e-card, add yourself to our e-mail list, shop our on-line gift catalog, or make a donation. We'd love to hear from you. Please contact our helpful staff if you'd like more information at info@dogsforthedeaf, or call (541) 826-9220.

KKG

Welcome Winnie & Wilbur!

Welcome to two of DFD's newest family members, Winnie (top) & Wilbur! These two were both rescued from animal shelters and are both currently in training to be Hearing Dogs.

We'll keep you updated on their progress.

In this video, Winnie & Wilbur play together after their bath...

KKG