Canine Listener Robin Dickson, Pres./CEO Fed. Tax ID #93-0681311 Spring 2011 • NO. 116 Dear Dogs for the Deaf Family, On June 16, 1981, Robin Dickson began working for Dogs for the Deaf. She began as a Trainer Apprentice, became a Certified Audio Canine Trainer, then Assistant Director, and President/CEO. For 30 years Robin has worked non-stop for this wonderful organization. As our President and CEO, she has nurtured what was, in 1981, a very small organization into one of the top (and most respected) Assistance Dog programs in the country. Robin has touched a lot of lives during those years, made countless friends, and played a key role in saving thousands of dogs from some very uncertain futures. The Staff and Board of Directors at Dogs for the Deaf want to publicly thank Robin Dickson for 30 years of service. Congratulations, Robin, on your 30th Anniversary at Dogs for the Deaf! We will never be able to thank you enough for your faithful leadership, but we would certainly like to try during the next 30 years! Sincerely, Marvin Rhodes Robin and Bonsai DFD Board of Directors Chair P.S. We would like to make a Book of Remembrance for Robin and encourage you to send a note of congratulations or a special DFD memory to DFD by June 15. We will put all the notes into the book and present it to Robin. GREATEST GIFT Our friends at Ram Offset Lithogra- March 3, 2011 phers have graciously donated the full color pages in this newsletter. Dear Robin, Ram is a full service, large, commer- The greatest gift I ever received is my Hearing Dog cial printer in the Southern Oregon from Dogs for the Deaf. Before Chiebe came to live area. They are a proud member of with me, I was separated from the hearing world— Climate Leaders and also the first isolated and solitary. certified Green Printer on the West Coast. Chiebe is invaluable to me. For your printing needs contact He is intelligent, talented, and handles himself well Joe Milder at 541-601-7199, or in public places. He is agile and competent. We e-mail [email protected]. are inseparable. He has filled my loneliness with happiness. He has brought me security. Chiebe is also an affectionate dog whose little heart is filled with love. I can’t imagine life without Chiebe. Josephine B. Josephine and Chiebe Florida 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 • Spring 2011 Placement Highlights Cory Does Double Duty A 1½ year old, Corgi cross, Cory came to us from PAWS Across the Northwest in Spokane. He was picked up as a stray by SCRAPS Animal Shelter and, sadly, no one came looking for him. In spite of his bad experiences, he was a happy, very sweet, and intelligent little guy who just wanted to be loved. PAWS called us to see if we might be interested in him and, after evaluation, we knew he was a suitable candidate for training. Cory learned his obedience training and house manners. He loved pleasing his trainer. He also learned to play the “sound game” and realized it could be really fun finding the sound and then taking his trainer to it. He loved the toys and treats he received as rewards. Jan, Cary and Jack When he was ready for placement, his trainer looked for the best match for Cory, where he could put his love and skills to best use. The right place for Cory was with Jan and Jack A. Both of them are retired, and their Sheltie had died at 21 years of age. They quickly realized how much help the dog had been and how much they missed him. Jack has health issues that result in hypoglycemic episodes. He needs to exercise more, and having a dog is a great motivator for walking more and exercising more. Jack said, “Having a dog will be a great ‘exercise enforcer’ for both of us.” Jan has hearing loss. Sometimes she can hear the sounds, but she can’t tell where they are coming from. Thus Cory would be doing double duty, helping Jan with sounds and keeping them both healthier and happier. Jan and Jack eagerly awaited Cory’s arrival. First Cory’s trainer let him get used to his new home and family. After getting acquainted, they began showing Jan and Jack how Cory was trained and what he could do. Then the trainer began training Jan and Jack so that they could maintain Cory’s training. Jan and Jack were both so happy with Cory and amazed at how smart and talented he was. Cory is very happy to be receiving the loving care he deserves, and Jan and Jack are thrilled to have Cory to help both of them with their special needs. Meka the Miracle Mutt Lauren S. is retired and lives alone. She has depression and problems walking, causing her to use a quad cane or walker. The daily struggles of life were getting overwhelming. Lauren decided to apply for a Miracle Mutt in order to have someone to take care of and so she would not feel so alone. She also knew that getting out of the house for walks would help make life much, much better. We found the perfect dog for Lauren at the Fresno, California, shelter. Meka, a tiny, 2 ½ year old, red, Terrier/Chihuahua cross had been picked up as a scared stray. She needed the security and love of a forever home, and she was very willing to provide a lot of fun and love in return. After a thorough medical evaluation, she was ready to begin training. While at our facility in training, Meka realized life was good again, and she became happier and regained her zest for life. She loved her trainer and would do just about anything to please as she went through training. When training was completed, Meka was ready to meet Lauren. At this first meeting, Lauren said when she first saw Meka, she knew Meka would be perfect for her. Meka quickly checked out her new surroundings and then curled Lauren and Meka up at Lauren’s feet as if she knew this was where she belonged. This new team is bonding and learning to work together, and Lauren is already feeling more social and less lonely and depressed. With Meka by her side, Lauren has shown off her new helper to all of her neighbors. In order toJoin be able to better our meet the needsDFD of you, E-mail our DFD family, we’d likeFan to offer eachClub! of you the choice of receiving our newsletter via the regular mail or e-mail. For those of you who prefer e-mail communication, this will also save DFD money in mailing and printing costs. First of all, we promise that we will NEVER sell, trade, or give away your e-mail address. It will be used strictly for DFD communication with you. Second, we promise NEVER to inundate you with requests for donations or with junk. If you want to be part of our special DFD E-MAIL FAN CLUB, send us your e-mail address or visit our website. Go to the Newsletter page (in the About Us section) and sign up to receive our newsletter. And, please remember to notify us if you change your e-mail address. Spring 2011 • Canine Listener • Page 3 Scooter, the Chiropractor’s Assistant Janice J. had been deaf for about 20 years and is a chiropractor and consultant. Janice lost her hearing suddenly due to illness and medications. The world of silence was devastating, and she moved and quit her career. After learning about DFD, she applied for and received her first Hearing Dog Cajun. With Cajun by her side, Janice returned to her chiropractic practice and to teaching. This twosome was inseparable and a fantastic team for many years until he passed away. Then, Janice returned to the world of silence. After working through the tremendous loss of Cajun, Janice let us know she was ready for a new partner. Scooter was the right dog for Janice. A 2 ½ year old beige and black, Shih Tzu mix from the Marion County Shelter, Scooter had been a stray. He was perky and confident, in spite of his past. He underwent the normal medical evaluation and necessary treatments and then was ready to begin training. Obedience training, socialization, and learning to respond to the sounds were part of his every day schedule. He enjoyed each new challenge and was ready for anything. Once training was complete, it was time for Scooter and Janice to meet. Janice and Scooter The trainer and Scooter arrived at Janice’s home, and it was hard to tell who was more excited, Janice or Scooter. They got to know each other and then Scooter began showing Janice what he could do. One day during the placement, they had been very busy and had done a lot of walking. That evening, Scooter alerted Janice and took her to the bedroom. There were no sounds occurring, but he was telling her it was time to go to sleep. At this point, Janice knew that Scooter felt at home and would get her attention and communicate with her. Scooter accompanies Janice to work every day and helps her both at work and at home.