Hearing Aids for the Deaf: Hearing Ear Dogs

Many of us are somewhat familiar with Seeing-Eye Dogs for the blind, but how many have heard about service dogs for those with other special needs? The reflective, neon "X" on the vest that signifies a working Assistance Dog is becoming a more common sight in many North American cities.

Most of us recognize the special harness of the Seeing Eye Dogs, along with the white canes of their visually impaired owners. These symbols of special needs are highly visible for a reason - to alert the rest of us to the fact that this team of special needs person and dog require special consideration. We need to refrain from petting the dog part of the team - the dog is at work right now, and we shouldn't interfere nor try to distract it.

There are many different kinds of service dogs that are trained to assist people with a wide variety of special needs, such as dogs who can warn of an impending epileptic seizure, or dogs who are trained to retrieve articles, and open doors for people with limited mobility.

According to the information posted on the Lions Foundation of Canada website:

Hearing Ear Dogs alert people who are hard of hearing to important sounds and bring an independence and new confidence to their silent lives.

Basic Skills:

• Makes physical contact with handler on hearing specific or unusual noises.
• Leads handler to source of noise.
• Responds to telephone ring, door bell ring or knock, voice calls, baby crying, kettle boiling, and other household sounds.
• Can respond to hand signals and limited signing.

Though never trained by any official organization as a Hearing Ear dog, "Dukie", a small, mixed-breed female was exactly that for her owner. Dukie, the runt of her litter, was named before her true gender was revealed. She demonstrated her lion's heart early on, though, and soon became "boss-dog" of her household. it was obvious that Dukie never acknowledged she was barely 12" tall - she was boss of her house, and of her yard, and woe-betide any creature that didn't realize that.

As Dukie's owner's hearing loss progressed, Dukie took on a few extra household duties, all on her own. If someone came to the door, and her owner didn't notice right away, Dukie would sit in front of the woman, bark sharply to get her attention, and then run to the door to let her know there was someone there.

Similarly, if the phone rang, or the woman's husband called her from another room, Dukie would alert her to whatever source required the woman's attention.

Again, according to the Lions Foundation:

Typical Breeds
The program usually trains small to medium sized dogs who, at the age of one year, demonstrate that they are friendly, active and willing to work. The pup is either born at our Breslau Centre, or is donated to the Foundation. They are placed in foster homes to live, being socialized in different environments for their first year.

Many breeds are capable of becoming Assistance Dogs. Any dog breed that is known to be gentle, affectionate, and patient can possess the right characteristics, but not have that innate desire to help.

Dukie, as I mentioned, was of mixed parentage. We suspect there was some terrier in the mix, probably some Shih-Tzu/Bichon (a fairly common cross), and some we-are-not-sure-but-it-wasn't-very-big , to round out the mix. She was very smart, though, as mixed-breeds often are, taking the best qualities from her various forebears - she was tenacious, devoted to her people, quick to learn, and totally fearless.

The Lions foundation has this to say about their training program:

Training Program
When the dog is about one year of age, he is returned for assessment and medical examination. Dogs who qualify begin a six-month training program in a simulated home environment at the training centre. Successful applicants undertake a two-week program to learn how to work with and to bond with their new Dog Guide partner. The dog can also be trained to respond to hand signals if the new owner cannot speak clearly enough to give verbal commands.

Our certified Hearing Ear Dogs are distinguished by the internationally recognized bright orange harness that is stenciled with "Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada".

Dukie was never formally trained, beyond being rewarded for her actions, and cherished as a valued member of the family her whole life. She just seemed to possess an insight or, perhaps, a gift, to know what was needed, and the intelligence and giving nature to provide the help that was needed.

Some pups seem to be born with this extra sense - not only to perceive a need, and understand what is required of them to help, but also the will to be of help - the desire to offer their special gift to a person in need.

These trained Assistance Dogs are so much more than beloved pets who are trained to "do tricks" or respond to certain signals. Their special gift can confer upon their owners the ability to function with the same independence and autonomy of a person with no special needs.

One of the most recognizable Hearing Ear Dogs in North America is "Levi", from a popular TV series about a hearing-impaired F.B.I. agent, and her team of investigators. Programs such as this have helped to shine the spotlight on the world of the deaf and hearing-impaired, and illustrate how alike we are in our needs as human beings, and in our desire to participate fully in all the world has to offer.

Anyone can help by donating to the many wonderful service organizations that raise and train Assistance Dogs. Many of these groups offer tax receipts for your donations, and many offer the convenience of on-line donation.

Another, more exciting way to help would be to volunteer your home to foster the puppies that are being considered for service work.

You would have the joy of raising a new puppy every year or so.

As well, you could do so knowing that you are contributing to the future quality of life of someone in need - someone you have never met, and may never meet, but someone who will always be grateful for the part you played in bringing them their new, special friend...their Assistance Dog.

© 2010, Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved