The Canine Listener is a quarterly newsletter published by Dogs for the Deaf, Inc. to provide information on Hearing Dogs, placements, dog training, and other news about happenings at Dogs for the Deaf. Here are some sample highlights of our newsletter.
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Here's our most recent newsletter
Canine Listener Spring 2008
To view and print a complete copy of this newsletter, CLICK HERE.
Mrs. Robin Dickson, President/CEO
WINTER 2008 ~ No. 103
Fed. Tax ID# 93-0681311 CFC #10969
The Canine Listener is a quarterly newsletter published by Dogs for the Deaf, Inc. to provide information on Hearing Dogs, placements, dog training, and other news about happenings at Dogs for the Deaf. Here are some sample highlights of our newsletter. If you would like to receive the complete newsletter, write to
Diana G. is a massage therapist in West Virginia.She began losing her hearing in high school, and it has become progressively worse.When she realized that she was no longer hearing the door bell and alarm clock reliably, she realized that she needed assistance.She also worried that she might not hear the smoke alarm.
After applying for a Hearing Dog and being carefully screened, Diana was approved and went on our waiting list.When the dog that matched Diana’s needs and lifestyle had completed training, the placement was set up.
Jim, a small brown and black Chihuahua cross, was the right dog for Diana.Jim came from a shelter in Harker Heights, Texas.He was energetic, loved people, and enjoyed learning to be a Hearing Dog.After the trip to West Virginia with his trainer, he was ready to meet his new “Mom.”After getting to know each other a little bit, it was time to get to work, and Jim’s trainer started teaching Diana how to respond when Jim alerted her to sounds.They practiced a few times, and Diana became very excited.Now people could actually use the front door and either knock or ring the bell and Jim would alert her.She wouldn’t miss visitors!As they practiced more and more sounds, Diana realized how much more independent she was going to be with Jim by her side.
BICHON – FROM NEGLECT TO LOVE
Bichon
Bichon, a one-year-old, small, white Bichon, had been severely neglected by his previous owners.When we found him at Paws Across the Northwest, his coat was horribly matted, and he had several sores on his little body.His feet and pads were red and sore.
The first thing that we did was take care of his medical needs and then get him cleaned up and clipped.With further work and evaluation, it became apparent that Bichon did not have the confidence needed to be a Hearing Dog, but he had all the potential to be a Miracle Mutt (Special Dogs for Special People).When he was ready, we found the right match for Bichon with Eleanor M. in Washington.
Eleanor has had several health problems that left her disabled. She uses a wheelchair and spends a lot of time in a chair. Eleanor's husband Vernon takes very good care of her, but she really needed and wanted something to make her days brighter and someone for company while Vernon is at work. Bichon is everything Eleanor and Vernon hoped for. He keeps Eleanor company during the day and brightens her day with his funny little antics. He even makes funny little noises as if he is carrying on a conversation. There are days when Eleanor is in a lot of pain, and Bichon's love and presence are a real blessing and help. This little Miracle Mutt not only has a far better life himself, but he is truly making miracles happen for Eleanor and Vernon.
See more Placement Highlights in the complete copy of this newsletter available for download and printing on our website!
Dear DFD,
Hattie
Hattie’s compassion and awareness of my knee injury is very heartwarming.She has been an important part of my therapy!She gets me moving to get my tendons and ligaments loosened up!What a dog!It gives me such peace of mind knowing she will alert me to whatever is happening around me.
Jennifer W. – Pennsylvania
Shaymus
Dear DFD,
Shaymus is such a blessing in my life. When I walk in the halls of the medical center where I work, he makes so many people smile. I'm constantly reminded of how special he is. Thank you!
Laurel W.- Washington
Dear Robin,
Chiebe
Chiebe provides unconditional love. We enjoy each other, and he is the most worthwhile thing that has come into my life. He enjoys his role of alerting me and is ever watchful of my every movement. I love Chiebe. Thank you Dogs for the Deaf for giving me my best friend.
Josephine B. - Florida
Dear DFD,
I think the work you do is wonderful! As part of the CHANGE team, I get to pick two charities per year to donate a portion of our profits to. I picked Dogs for the Deaf because you are not only helping dogs in need but people, too. You are also showing others just how helpful and meaningful dogs can be. Keep up the good work.
Megan K. - Rhode Island
See more letters like these in the complete copy of this newsletter available for download and printing on our website!
Marrying Charitable Giving with Weddings…
How you can help DFD through the joy of a wedding!
Are you getting married soon or know someone who is? Here are a couple of ways you can help Dogs for the Deaf
with a wedding celebration.
The trend of “charitable weddings” is on the rise. Many couples getting married today are finding creative ways to make a difference on their special day.This social commitment is a way to make their wedding day more meaningful. Recently, DFD was the beneficiary of Kristen and Timothy’s wedding in Pennsylvania. They asked their guests in lieu of a wedding gift to make a donation to Dogs for the Deaf.Another couple made a generous donation to DFD in lieu of buying favors for their wedding guests.
When couples get married, many of them already have primary household items and don’t need another toaster, bowl, or linens.Some will sign up with a gift registry for the items they do need and then give their guests the choice of making a donation or purchasing a gift.
If you or someone you know would like to make DFD the direct beneficiary of their wedding, just call us to make the arrangements or have the donations mailed to DFD and we will send you a list of all donations so you can thank them personally.
Another option….Introducing the “I Do Foundation.”
The “I Do” Foundation is the nation’s first wedding-focused nonprofit foundation. The couple can save money on wedding items AND support Dogs for the Deaf by registering with the I Do Foundation. They offer savings for honeymoon packages, discounted invitations, rings, wedding gifts, personal web sites, and even charitable wedding favors.The I Do Foundation allows couples and their guests to make wedding-related purchases that generate donations for their favorite charity.To date, the I Do Foundation has donated more than $2 million to charities on behalf of couples. Over 200,000 couples a year register with the I Do Foundation.
At the I Do Foundation’s Charity Registry guests can also make donations to the couple’s selected charity in lieu of gifts. All of these wedding services are available free of cost.Just visit www.IDoFoundation.org. Check it out today, and be sure to select Dogs for the Deaf, Inc. as the beneficiary of your charitable wedding.
Get more information on fund raising in the complete copy of this newsletter available for download and printing on our website!
Special Memorials
Regan Baily, 26,was hearing impaired and an animal lover. Tragedy struck when Regan was murdered in her home by an intruder. Family members say that Regan was a caregiver to many stray animals lucky enough to cross her path.
With Regan's untimely passing, her family wanted memorials to create a legacy to Regan's love of animals and also have a connection to hearing loss. They found DFD on Charity Navigator and indicated that memorials for Regan should be sent to DFD. The response has been incredibly generous. In a phone conversation with Regan's mother, she indicated that after they found out about DFD they realized that if Regan had had a Hearing Dog she might still be alive today.
Hopefully knowing that the memorial donations are going to help other people receive the help of Hearing Dogs will help ease the pain of this especially tragic loss.
Vincent M. Coccarecently passed away, and his family designated DFD as one of the charities that memorials should be sent to in Vincent’s name.In talking with family members, we found an interesting story.In 1957, Vincent opened a Cheese Steak and Pizza restaurant in Pennsylvania, and this family business is still going strong.Over the years, Vincent had a number of regular customers who had hearing loss so he decided to learn sign language.These customers greatly appreciated his interest in learning to communicate with them. Vincent’s grandson told us that his grandfather always had compassion for people with special challenges and that he was an avid animal lover.As Vincent aged, he lost a lot of his hearing.So, with Vincent’s passing, the family wanted to find a charity that was connected with hearing loss and animals and one that had an excellent rating for efficient use of donations.After finding DFD on Charity Navigator, the family designated DFD as the place to send memorials to honor Vincent. Thank you for enabling Vincent’s legacy of compassion to live on through the work of DFD.
It is finally spring in southern Oregon, and our Field of Memories has been absolutely beautiful.The bright yellow daffodils and the red tulips are visible from a long way away and can’t help but make you smile.Visitors are moved when they look at the names on the stones in amongst the flowers.
As I promised in my column in the last issue, I want to give you an update on our expansion project.Those of you who have visited our facility in the past few years know how crowded we are.Our facility was built in 1988-1989, and we have not made any additions to it since then.At the time, we planned for growth, and the buildings have served us well for 20 years.
However, we have grown and with additional staff and all the technology that is now required to operate a business efficiently, we are very cramped in every area of the facility.For example, a room in the kennel building that originally was used to store dog food is now housing four kennel techs with their desks, computers, and other equipment needed for their jobs.
In order to alleviate kennel stress on the dogs while they are in training, we have modified and enhanced the kennels.With increased numbers of applications for our specially trained dogs, we need to add more kennels and more training space.
Two years ago, we started working on plans for expansion of our facility.The first step was to obtain permission from the IRS for the expansion.I am very happy to report that we recently received that permission.It took a long time, but the decision was positive.Now we are working on the next step—getting permission from the county for the expansion.
All of the “permit” portions of this type of process always move much more slowly than we would like, and there are always “speed bumps” along the way that take extra time and work.This is frustrating but unavoidable, and I know it will be well worth it in the long run.Once all the county work and approvals are well on their way to completion, then we will be ready to proceed with the capital campaign to raise the funds for construction.
In the meantime, be assured that we are continuing to train and place the absolute, very best Hearing Dogs and Miracle Mutts possible.With more room, we will be able to help even more dogs and more people receive the incredible love, freedom, and independence that you have read about in the rest of this newsletter.
Each and every one of you is an important and necessary part of this work—its growth and improvement.We could not do what we are doing or dream and plan for the future without your commitment to helping in so many ways.
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