DFI Online Magazine--Junior Edition

HEARING FOR TWO

"What is that DOG doing in here?" Speaking was a woman who had just entered a restaurant and pointed to a booth where an animal sat quietly at a young man’s feet. A nearby waitress answered: "Oh, that’s Ranger. He’s a hearing ear dog. That’s Billy with him. He’s hearing impaired. Ranger helps when they go out in case there are sirens or car horns or if someone calls Billy’s name. When they’re at home, Ranger lets Billy know if someone knocks on the door or if the telephone rings or if the smoke detector goes off." She continued, "You can recognize those dogs by their blaze orange collar, vest, or leash."

A reaction like that is not uncommon today. The American public has grown used to certain places being off-limits to animals. Recent developments have dictated a change in thinking, and we have to adjust our attitudes.

Since the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (1990), "Assistance dogs and their (human) partners are guaranteed equal access to any and all establishments and accommodations." That includes inns and hotels, public transportation (like buses and airplanes), post offices, recreation sites, and all kinds of retail stores. Most states have similar laws.

"Assistance dogs" include guide dogs for the blind, hearing ear dogs (like Ranger), and service dogs to help people with such disabilities as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, many of whom are wheelchair-bound. Lisa Petersen of the American Kennel Club said, "Dogs have an innate desire to please. They want to help, and they are willing and able to follow specific directions."

Hearing ear dogs are sometimes called signal dogs, sound alert dogs, or hearing assistance dogs. They hear better than people, many sounds human ears cannot record. While people hear only 30,000 sound waves each second, canine ears are capable of picking up 75,000-100,000.

It was 1975 when the Minnesota SPCA initiated a pilot project under the leadership of Agnes McGrath to train hearing ear dogs. The following year Denver’s American Humane Association began the first national program. Since then several nonprofit organizations (and a few private groups) in the U.S. have begun such projects.

The task of hearing dogs officially is to "alert individuals with impaired hearing to the presence of intruders or sounds (they can’t hear)." Protection is not their primary duty. Estimated cost of training each animal currently is estimated at $3,500-4,000. Groups who do not charge for training a dog pay their expenses with donations. Others ask for a fee, but some will accept less from people who can’t afford to pay the full price. Some owners even help train their own dogs.

Animals come from dog pounds and humane shelters, unwanted animals who are given a second chance. Certain breeds have proven to be most adaptable to this work: most mixed breeds (such as shepherd-spaniel, poodle-collie, or other combinations). Small animals are best since many human partners live in apartments.

When choosing potential canines, trainers look especially for proper temperament, reaction to sound, a willingness to work, intelligence, a good nature, those who are "people friendly" and eager to please. "Lively" animals are also highly prized.

Before beginning the course, dogs undergo a thorough veterinarian examination. Ears, of course, are the primary concern–some of them soon will be "hearing for two." Also looked at are elements of good general health: heart; lungs, blood; abdomen; temperature; hair and skin. All vaccinations must be up to date.

The best age to begin training a hearing ear dog ranges from six months to three years. This course usually can be completed in 6-7 months but sometimes lasts up to a year or two. Only one of four animals who start out complete it successfully. Those who "flunk out" are provided complete medical and health care and adopted to good homes as pets or placed in other "jobs."

The "school" schedule usually consists of 20-minute lessons twice a day. Teachers dole out no punishments; instead there is lots of praise and petting.

Training begins with the animals learning basic obedience; very important are commands such as–"Sit"-"Heel"-"Come"-"Lie Down"- Stay." Next comes exposure to sounds they will hear in public such as elevators, shopping carts, conversation between people, etc. After a period of socializing, they enter a phase called "sound alerting."

There the dogs are taught to first recognize a particular sound, then physically alert their partner to the source of that sound. This must be done promptly without any command from their owner. For some sounds the dogs are taught to paw or jump to get attention and then lead him or her to the sound. However, if it is a hazard (like a fire), they must instead lead them AWAY from the sound.

There are approximately 9-10 INSIDE sounds which dogs learn during lessons. This number varies depending on individual circumstances They are: (1) fire and smoke alarms; (2) telephone ringing; (3) door knock; (4) doorbell ringing; (5) oven timer; (6) alarm clock ringing; (7) name call; (8) baby cry; (9) microwave bell; (10) tea kettle.

OUTSIDE sounds to be learned are: (1) sirens; (2) fork lifts; (3) pedestrians approaching; (4) someone calling to the owner; (5) passing traffic. Like the inside sounds, more can be added if a situation calls for it.

Some owners work in offices, restaurants, stores, theaters, etc. Their hearing ear dogs have to learn an entire separate set of sounds.

Once a dog’s training has been successfully completed, the new owner is brought in for a short period of adjustment, sometimes as long as two weeks. He or she learns how to give obedience commands and hand signals and how to care for his dog and keep it well trained. The animal spends time getting to know his new partner, and both dog and human find out how each reacts to different situations.

There is a well-known story about a hearing ear dog on a bus with its owner. For no apparent reason, the animal began to pester its partner to leave the bus. After the owner gave up and stepped off the bus, she saw the roof was on fire! The dog’s actions saved a busload of people. This was not a lesson taught in hearing dog training!

It is believed that of the 23 million hearing-impaired men, women, boys and girls in the United States and Canada, 1 ½ million could benefit from a hearing ear dog.

SOURCES

Websites: enwikipedia.org "Hearing Dogs"

www.dogsforthedeaf.org http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org

groups.msn.com "Assistance Dogs/home"

sdog.danawheels.net

World Book Encyclopedia: "Hearing Dogs"

"Assistance Dogs in Special Service," Eliz. Ring

"Cindy, A Hearing Ear Dog," Patricia Curtis

USA Today, Aug.14,2005: "Canine Companions for Independence"