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SAN FRANCISCO, CA


Program Report

March 2007

At the February 21 meeting we were introduced to the Hearing Dogs Program by Gwyen Martin of the San Francisco SPCA. These Hearing Dogs are specially trained to respond to any number of sounds, phones, doorbells, smoke alarms etc to assist hearing impaired people. When they hear these particular sounds they get very excited and run back and forth from the object to their partners until the partner responds to the object, place from which the sound emanates. Mr. Martin was accompanied by his demo dog, Runner; is a Shih Tzu mix and a real darling. Everyone loved him as he was put through his paces.

The San Francisco SPCA initiated the Hearing Dog Program in July, 1978. The Hearing Dog concept, when applied to an Animal Shelter framework, has resulted in a unique and exciting combination, offering assistance to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, while at the same time, giving previously homeless animals a chance for useful lives of love and service. At present, the program places dogs with California and Nevada residents only.They have made over 645 placements and look forward to placing many more alert, hard-working canine partners

Many deaf or hard-of-hearing people find that at some time they face the reality of missing important auditory signals -- crucial, possibly life-saving warnings that most hearing people take for granted. Particularly for those individuals who live alone or in households where there are no hearing people, it can be important that they be alerted to certain occurrences: a knock at the door, the buzz of a smoke detector or a fire alarm; the sound of a prowler. SF/SPCA Hearing Dogs can offer a practical alternative for many non-hearing people. SF/SPCA Hearing Dogs can be constant companions capable of responding to many different stimuli and alerting their guardians to important sounds.

To apply for a Hearing Dog a person should have a serious hearing loss and be 18 years or older. However, we will place a dog with a younger person on an individual case-by-case basis. Applicants are asked to return their applications together with a $20 application fee. An in-depth interview is conducted with each applicant in their home. The interview is necessary so that we can learn as much as possible about an applicant's lifestyle and family environment. If you are interested the number to call is: (415) 554- 3020 or (415) 554-3022 (TTY)     Betty Clark

For an article and picture of Runner, look at this pdf copy of SPCA's summer 2006 issue of Our Animals.

Archived reports are available for viewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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