Canine Listener Robin Dickson, Pres./CEO Fed. Tax ID #93-0681311 Fall 2011 • NO. 118 The American Humane Association (AHA) held a very special event this year - the HERO DOG AWARDS INAUGURAL EVENT. AHA started the event by establishing eight categories of Hero Dogs. Those categories were: Law Enforcement/Arson Dog Service Dog Therapy Dog Military Dog Guide Dog Hearing Dog Search and Rescue Dog Emerging Hero Dog Dogs were nominated within each category and their stories were sent to AHA who posted the dogs’ pictures and stories on the internet so people could vote for their favorite Hero Dog. The partners of each dog chose a charity to receive a $5,000 prize if their dog won their category. Then, the winners of each category would go to Beverly Hills, California, for a red carpet gala awards ceremony where the overall Hero Dog Award winner would be chosen by a group of celeb- rity judges, and that overall winning team would receive an additional $10,000 for their charity. We were thrilled when one of our Hearing Dogs, Harley, won the Hearing Dog category, earning a trip to the awards ceremony and $5,000 for DFD. Although Harley did not win the overall award, we are so proud of him and Nancy & Harley his partner Nancy for representing all of our wonderfully trained Hearing Dog teams. Nancy wrote the following, telling of their experi- ences at this special red carpet event: “What a weekend of sights, sounds, feelings, re- alizations, disappointments, joys, triumphs, and inspirations! It was great fun, exhausting, exhila- rating, and so interesting. Although all eight dogs were winners in their categories, only one could be the ‘top’ winner. Seven dogs won $5,000 for their Jim, Nancy & Harley charities; Harley’s was for DFD. Thanks to all who supported by voting! The eighth, a Guide Dog (now deceased) who led her person nearly 1,500 steps ... story continued on page 11 Charter Member Dogs for the Deaf, Inc. Assistance Dogs International Rescuing Dogs to Help People with Disabilities since 1977 Accredited by 10175 Wheeler Road, Central Point, OR 97502 • (541) 826-9220 Voice/TDD Assistance www.dogsforthedeaf.org • email: [email protected] Dogs International Page 2 • Canine Listener • Fall 2011 Placement Highlights RIO’S NEW JOB Christine S., her husband Bill, and their five-year-old daughter live in Ten- nessee. Christine’s first Hearing Dog Hobbit died from old age, and she was lost without her “ears.” Having been deaf since birth, Christine had become accustomed to being aware of sounds and happenings around her with Hobbit by her side. When Hobbit passed away, she was back to the world of silence and being unaware of things around her. This was difficult, especially with an active young daughter to care for. She was thrilled when we notified her that we had a dog ready that would match her needs. Rio, a two-year-old, red- dish brown, Pug/Terrier cross was the right dog for Christine. We found Rio at the Tehama County Shelter in California. After bringing her to our facility and doing the necessary evaluations and medical work, she was ready to start training.She loved learning how to alert her trainer to various household sounds, and she enjoyed the praise she received when she correctly performed an obedience command. After training, the placement was scheduled and Rio and her trainer arrived at Christine’s home. Christine was thrilled to again be aware of what was go- ing on around her, especially being aware of her daughter’s needs. Rio is very patient and affectionate with the little girl, and, at the same time, she takes her job of Hearing Dog very seriously and is always there to let Christine know when something is happening. CINCI - A REASON TO LIVE A cream colored, two-year-old, female, Papillion/Chihuahua cross, Cinci came to us from the Central California SPCA in Fresno. After getting rid of her ken- nel cough and fleas and improving her overall health, Cinci was ready to start training. She was very sweet and loving, but we found she had no interest in becoming a Hearing Dog. The good news was that she would make a wonderful Miracle Mutt, so she entered that program. When training was completed, she was matched with Alice V. Alice lives alone and suffers from back and leg pain. This was causing loneliness, depression, and inactivity. When Alice applied for a dog, she said she needed help improving her health and being more active. Cinci was just what the doctor ordered. She is providing a reason to live, some- thing to look forward to everyday, and much more exercise and activity. COOPER COMPLETES THE FAMILY Cooper, a reddish brown and white Spaniel cross, originally came to us from a shelter in Mesquite, Texas. The woman he was placed with passed away, and Cooper was returned to DFD. As always, we evaluated Cooper and then began looking for the best possible home for him to utilize his talents. For Cooper, that home was with Dave and Gay W. After receiving Cooper, they wrote us, “Please accept this little token of our appreciation for allowing us to have Cooper. When we saw him, we knew it was love at first sight. You allowed us to get to know him and appreciate what a fine dog he is. Cooper has been with us only a few days, but he has fit right into our household. He is an exceptionally good dog. You do an outstanding job in training your dogs for a new home. They are healthy, smart, and well mannered. Thank you for making our household complete.” Fall 2011 • Canine Listener • Page 3 RUGBY THE ROCK STAR Tiffany F. lives alone and works as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf. She began noticing her hearing loss in college, and it has progressively become worse. Tiffany decided she wanted a Hearing Dog because she knew she was missing out on so much of what was going on around her. She wanted help being more aware, and she also wanted to educate people about her hear- ing loss and how Hearing Dogs help people with hearing loss. After all the normal application and screening process, Tiffany was approved for a Hearing Dog and went on the waiting list. The right dog for Tiffany was Rugby, a three-year-old, grey and black Terrier cross from Southern Oregon Humane Society. The place- ment was set up and Rugby and his trainer traveled to Tiffany’s home where the new team “clicked” right away. The trainer began working with Tiffany to teach her how to maintain Rugby’s training, both obedience training and alerting her to sounds. Then they started practicing having Rugby alert her to various sounds. She was thrilled with how he quickly alerted her to the door knock, oven timer, smoke alarm, alarm clock, and phone.Tiffany often referred to Rugby’s behavior in demeanor in public as a “Rock Star.” He happily lies at her feet while riding the bus. Rugby is also alerting Tiffany to sounds at work and people coming up to her cubicle. Rugby loves being with his new mom, whether working sounds, playing, walking, or just snuggling. This new team is having a great time getting to know each other and helping each other. DAISY Bob and Bea N. are retired in need of assistance. Bea had a brain tumor removed, which resulted in hearing loss. She can hear some noises but can- not tell where they are coming from. She also has trouble walking and uses a walker. They wanted a dog, not only for companionship, but also to help Bea become more active and show her where sounds were coming from. Bob also looked forward to more walking and improved health. We found the right dog for Bob and Bea in Daisy, a two-year-old, black and tan, Miniature Pin- scher cross. Daisy came from Teddy’s Vision Rescue in Walla Walla, Wash- ington. It was evident that she had been neglected and had at least one litter of puppies, but she was an intelligent, friendly little dog and ready to learn and help someone. After training, Daisy was matched to Bea and Bob, and her trainer took Daisy to her new home. Bea and Bob were anxiously waiting for Daisy’s arrival. Daisy checked out the house, gave them both kisses, and settled in like she knew this was where she was staying. The trainer showed them what Daisy was trained to do and then had them start working with her to practice. Daisy caught on quickly to her new home and new people and is improving the health and lifestyle of both Bob and Bea - alerting to sounds and providing lots of love. ank Yo Th u . to all of our major sponsors for enriching the lives of our recipients and enabling them to live more independently: Good Sam Chapters Southern California Good Sams Oregon Lions & Lioness Benevolent Patriotic Order of DOES Northern California Good Sams Lions Clubs / Lioness Clubs Royal Neighbors of America Sams Radio Hams Granges District 36-E Oregon State Grange Kiwanis Clubs Lions & Lioness (Oregon) Get Along Sams Sertoma Clubs Oregon Good Sams Washington Good Sams Rotary Clubs Mrs. Litisha Skatrud Nevada Good Sams Quota Clubs Anita Jury California Federation of Eastern Star, Shrine, & other Masonic Groups Joella Cheek Women’s Clubs Many other generous clubs & individuals Page 4 • Canine Listener • Fall 2011 TEACHER’S AIDE NELSON Nelson is a two-year-old Black Labrador who came to us from Guide Dogs for the Blind.