I was with one Hearing Dog Program for my first two Hearing Dogs. It was a wonderful program, but is no longer active. They still provide incredible and caring support to those who already have Hearing Dogs who graduated from their Hearing Dog Program before the program closed, but they are no longer training and placing new Hearing Dogs. I think it's so generous that they are still supporting the Hearing Dog graduates, and we all are very blessed that they are doing this. I have heard of other programs closing, disappearing and not supporting the Hearing Dogs they already placed.
I am embarrassed to have to admit, even though I have had two Hearing
Dogs, I wasn't thinking clearly due to grief when my second Hearing Dog
passed away unexpectedly. I should have asked the amazing staff at my original
Hearing Dog Program to recommend where I should apply. This could have
saved me nearly a year of delay, but everything happens for a reason and
is meant to be.
Most Service Dog programs are based on where you live. In the United States, some programs are state-wide, while other programs are by regions of the United States, such as the Pacific Northwest. You may be fortunate enough to have a few different programs to choose from in your area. Please, please, please do the research, and ask to visit the facility before you decide on a program to apply with.
I can not emphasize visiting the facility enough. It will enable you to get an excellent idea of what the program is like, what the staff is like, and if you are fortunate enough to have a few different programs to choose from, it will help you to make the best choice of which is the best fit for you. If a program declines your request to visit it, and doesn't have a good reason for refusing your visit, please think twice about applying there.
I am so excited about my new Hearing Dog program. They have an incredible campus as they place other dogs besides the Hearing Dogs, such as Mobility and Therapy dogs. They have a wonderful staff who all are very professional, enthusiastic and love their jobs, and who truly care about dogs and people. They have been around for many years, and they have placed thousands of dogs throughout the years. Even though I have not attended class yet, I cannot recommend this program highly enough, and I am extremely confident in the staff and the program. This program is also nationwide in the United States, and has several regional campuses.
I really hope to be given permission to link to the nationwide program from this blog, as this is the one program I'd recommend very highly.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
About Hearing Dogs
A Hearing Dog is a dog that is trained to assist hard-of-hearing and deaf people by alerting to sounds by making physical contact (such as nudging their person with their nose or paw).
They alert their person to sounds such as the doorbell, smoke alarm, alarm clock, timer, phone, and so on. Everyone is unique in their hearing loss and some may require being alerted to all sounds, or just a few sounds.
Hearing Dogs usually work in the home, so they are not as well known as Guide Dogs for the Blind, or a Mobility Dog (who is trained to assist their person in retrieving things, bringing items to the person, opening doors, etc.) or a Therapy Dog (who is trained to go into hospitals, convalescent homes and other medical settings, and to work directly with more than one person, such as several patients in the medical setting).
Hearing Dogs provide such a valuable service, and have saved many lives.
For example, there are so many hard-of-hearing and deaf people who may be sleeping alone at night, and the smoke alarm could go off. Not every hard-of-hearing or deaf person can hear the smoke alarm without hearing aids or cochlear implants (all of which are supposed to come out of our ears at night). The person could easily sleep through the sound, and not wake up in time to be able to get out of the building safely in event of fire. Having a Hearing Dog would allow the person to be woken up and for them both to be able to get out of the building safely.
Besides the safety factor, Hearing Dogs often provide loving companionship to their person, and gives their person independence. This goes both ways, as the person usually is very loving and extremely attached to their Hearing Dog. It is not just a "working relationship", but a very loving and mutual relationship. Hearing Dogs don't work all the time, and have fun, such as walks and all other things that all dogs enjoy.
This blog is my personal opinion and is about my own experiences with two previous Hearing Dogs, and with a third Hearing Dog. I had my first Hearing Dog from 1987 - 2001; I had my second Hearing Dog from 2001 - 2011. At this time of writing this post, I have been approved to attend class for a new Hearing Dog in late September.
They alert their person to sounds such as the doorbell, smoke alarm, alarm clock, timer, phone, and so on. Everyone is unique in their hearing loss and some may require being alerted to all sounds, or just a few sounds.
Hearing Dogs usually work in the home, so they are not as well known as Guide Dogs for the Blind, or a Mobility Dog (who is trained to assist their person in retrieving things, bringing items to the person, opening doors, etc.) or a Therapy Dog (who is trained to go into hospitals, convalescent homes and other medical settings, and to work directly with more than one person, such as several patients in the medical setting).
Hearing Dogs provide such a valuable service, and have saved many lives.
For example, there are so many hard-of-hearing and deaf people who may be sleeping alone at night, and the smoke alarm could go off. Not every hard-of-hearing or deaf person can hear the smoke alarm without hearing aids or cochlear implants (all of which are supposed to come out of our ears at night). The person could easily sleep through the sound, and not wake up in time to be able to get out of the building safely in event of fire. Having a Hearing Dog would allow the person to be woken up and for them both to be able to get out of the building safely.
Besides the safety factor, Hearing Dogs often provide loving companionship to their person, and gives their person independence. This goes both ways, as the person usually is very loving and extremely attached to their Hearing Dog. It is not just a "working relationship", but a very loving and mutual relationship. Hearing Dogs don't work all the time, and have fun, such as walks and all other things that all dogs enjoy.
This blog is my personal opinion and is about my own experiences with two previous Hearing Dogs, and with a third Hearing Dog. I had my first Hearing Dog from 1987 - 2001; I had my second Hearing Dog from 2001 - 2011. At this time of writing this post, I have been approved to attend class for a new Hearing Dog in late September.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)