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Deaf dog adopted by deaf kids after learning sign language
People may be reluctant to adopt a deaf dog, but what if they were deaf themselves?
Tue, Feb 08 2011 at 5:52 PM
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DEAF DOGS: Training drain deaf dogs for deaf owners began at a Missouri prison. Inmates trained a deaf dachshund in sign language and then asked the Missouri School for the Deaf to take him in. (Photo: jupiterimages)
KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Most people may be reluctant to adopt a deaf dog, but what if they were deaf themselves?
The idea made sense to inmates at a Missouri prison who trained a deaf dachshund in sign language and then asked the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton to take him in.
Today, the dog named Sparky is right at home with the school's youngsters, who have taught him additional sign language. And a second deaf dog, a Boston Terrier named Petie, may be on his way to the school soon.
Superintendent Barbara Garrison approved bringing Sparky to the school.
"She really thought it would be a great learning experience for the kids," Garrison's secretary Barbara McGrath said in an interview Tuesday.
Sparky came from the South Central Correctional Center in Licking, Mo., which has also offered Petie. Garrison is interested in taking in Petie but only if she knows it can eventually be placed in a permanent home after some sign language training, McGrath said.
Sparky responds to hand signals to sit, heel, lay down, and stop and is working on additional signs that mean "food" or "outside."
Sparky and Petie come from the Puppies for Parole program of the Missouri Department of Corrections in which inmates train animals with behavioral or other issues that make them difficult to adopt. The program saves dogs that might otherwise be euthanized and it gives inmates a constructive activity, said Tina Holland, activities coordinator at the Licking prison.
"It's been wonderful — it's gone far beyond what we thought it would be," Holland said. "Their goal is just to get these dogs a home."
(Writing by Kevin Murphy, edited by Mary Wisniewski and Greg McCune)
Copyright 2011 Reuters US Online Report Domestic News
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, hearing plpoee will always, always use ASL with a hearing accent, and even deaf plpoee raised signing are used to it (and generally everyone learns Signed English for contexts where using word-for-word translatable English is necessary) so past a certain point, it's not worth worrying too much about your accent.(We've been signing with Piper for months, now, though just rudimentary signs, but it's been bringing back my affection for ASL. Go you!)
This reminds me of the Puppies Behind Bars program featured on Oprah. The program trains inmates to raise puppies to become service dogs for the disabled and explosive detection canines
for law enforcement. I was extremely moved by the show and how this program positively affects inmates.
This program of inmates training deaf dogs and providing them homes in the end is a win win for all. Great idea!
IM GLAD THE DEAF CHILDREN WILL E NJOY THE DEAF DOGS IN DORM AND KEEP THEM LIKE A HOME SO THE DEAF KIDS WONT BE HOMESICK ,,THEY CAN TEACHDEAF DOGS HOW TO USE SIGN LANGUAGE ..IMDEAF AND ANIMAL LOVER BECAUSE GOD CREATE THEM ,,U KNOW DEAF DOGS GAVE THEM HEALING ,,,I BELEIVE IT ,,,
love this story! my dog responds to hand signals also, lot easier than yelling across the yard (:
Aw, what a sweet idea!
IM GLAD THAT DEAF KIDS ENJOY TO HAVE DEAF DOGS TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE AND IT IS WORTH TO HAVE THIS,,, PUT ALARM SO THE DOGS CAN SEE THE FLASHER WHEN SOMEONE TURN THE LIGHTS BACK AND FORTH AND USE SIGN LANGUAGE ,, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE DEAF DOGS AND I HAVE TWO DASCHUND IS HEARING BUT THEY KNOWS SIGN LANGUAGE BECAUSE MY HUSBAND IS DEAF AND CANT TALK SO THEY UNDERSTAND HIM WHAT HE SAID TO T HEM ,,,IM DEAF BUT I CAN TALK WITH THEM ,,,PRAISE THIS ,,
I have trained three deaf dogs; two Jack Russell Terriers and an Aussie to run flyball and agility. With hand signals, dogs adapt amazingly well and can learn as well as any hearing dog. The only important care needed for deaf dogs is to protect them from the road - be sure to have a good solid fenced in yard and then anyone can adopt a deaf dog and make a super pet out of them!
like all things that have a brain they can adopt to most things and people seem to forget this. they are not stupid no animal is and more care should be taken with these.
One of the best programs instituted is the one that allows prisoners to rescue, train and and place shelter dogs. There has never been one less than positive comment about any of the programs which benefit both man and dog. It should be instituted in all of the prisons. Rather than warehousing prisoners and shelter dogs, this is a perfect match. To the people who are making life possible for these two deaf dogs, sincere thanks!!
Amen to that! A positive win-win program for all involved and for society at large. There is much to be said about the healing power of loyalty and devotion. PBS did a special on prison programs some time back and the overwhelming and powerful effect this program had on the inmates involved, many of whom had never known love or respect in the past; it was both moving and humbling to witness. An awesome program, that indeed should be implemented throughout all the state prisons.
I love disabled dogs! Like three legged pit bulls, i want one! I love pit bulls! Save the Pit bulls!
This is one of the best stories I've read in a long time. Just wonderful!
aaawh this is such a sweet artical, and all of the entires are so heart warming, you make me want to go out and adopt a deaf dog! :)
Hello - We just adopted our first deaf dog last year and she is wonderful! Very smart, very intuitive, and she learned her signs quickly and taught us a few of her signs as well - lol! Great program. Great job to all involved! :)
As Mom to two deaf Dalmatians (Hi Pat!), I can tell you that they are the best kids ever, and bar none! Attentive, smart, and just wonderful pets. Mine aren't therapy dogs, but the world of deaf dog parenthood is a world you'll never stray from. Visit www.d2care.org for some great articles and information if you're interested in learning more. Love this program and kudos for everyone involved!
As Mom to two deaf Dalmatians (Hi Pat!), I can tell you that they are the best kids ever, and bar none! Attentive, smart, and just wonderful pets. Mine aren't therapy dogs, but the world of deaf dog parenthood is a world you'll never stray from. Visit www.d2care.org for some great articles and information if you're interested in learning more. Love this program and kudos for everyone involved!
As Mom to two deaf Dalmatians (Hi Pat!), I can tell you that they are the best kids ever, and bar none! Attentive, smart, and just wonderful pets. Mine aren't therapy dogs, but the world of deaf dog parenthood is a world you'll never stray from. Visit www.d2care.org for some great articles and information if you're interested in learning more. Love this program and kudos for everyone involved!
Deaf Dogs are awesome pets. I know someone who trains them for therapy animals.
As an owner of two deaf Dalmatians, I can easily say that they make wonderful companion animals. Lottie Dot and Dora are therapy dogs. Deaf dogs make wonderful therapy animals. They are very good at reading body language and facial expressions. What a wonderful article. Thanks for sharing!
This was a very heartwarming story. However, I was chagrined to read that the dog was taught to "lay down." Lay is past tense. They taught it to "lie down." It is disappointing, as a retired fifth grade teacher, to see that among an author and two editors this error was not caught. Our dog trainer was educated in New Zealand. I think she and I were the only two people in dog class who told our dogs to lie down.
Like the dog knows the dif between, lay/lie down........
I have a deaf dog & she can do both. :)
rufff.....
I can't believe, that after reading this wonderful and heartwarming story, You're worried about the grammar used! I also used to teach school. However, I was enjoying the story and never noticed the grammar mistake until you pointed it out! Are you seriously more worried about that than helping deaf dogs???
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